This is the proposed memorial to be built in Knowles Park for victims of the fatal crane collapse. Credit: Submitted/North Okanagan Labour Council

Two years and still no answers in deadly Kelowna crane collapse

Plans for a memorial honouring five men who died on two years ago today when a crane collapsed in downtown Kelowna were released at a special commemoration today.

The RCMP continue to investigate the July 12, 2021, crane collapse with no indication of when, or if, charges will be laid. WorkSafeBC has completed its report but has only released it to police.

At least eight lawsuits have been filed against the Mission Group, which was building the Brooklyn condo tower when the crane collapsed, crane operator Stemmer Construction and the crane manufacturer, Liebherr-Canada.

READ MORE: 'Dangerous defect': Construction firm in deadly Kelowna crane collapse suing manufacturer

The North Okanagan Labour Council has worked with the families of the victims to design a permanent memorial to the five workers to be built in Knowles Park at Ethel Street and Bernard Avenue.

The design was unveiled today, July 12.

A fundraising drive has been launched through the United Way to raise the $300,000 needed to build and maintain the memorial. Donations can be made here.

READ MORE: A crane collapsed. Five people died. After two years, no answers

Cailen Vilness, Eric and Patrick Stemmer and Jared Zook were construction workers who died when the crane collapsed while Brad Zawislak was killed inside a neighbouring building where he was working.

 – This story was updated at 4:25 p.m. on July 12, 2023 to add information on where to donate to the memorial.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submitphotos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

Tags
Rob Munro

Rob Munro has a long history in journalism after starting an underground newspaper in Whitehorse called the Yukon Howl in 1980. He spent five years at the 100 Mile Free Press, starting in the darkroom, moving on to sports and news reporting before becoming the advertising manager. He came to Kelowna in 1989 as a reporter for the Kelowna Daily Courier, and spent the 1990s mostly covering city hall. For most of the past 20 years he worked full time for the union representing newspaper workers throughout B.C. He’s returned to his true love of being a reporter with a special focus on civic politics

Related Articles