A downtown block in Kelowna, B.C., has been evacuated after a crane collapsed at a construction site near Bernard Avenue and Bertram Street.
Kelowna RCMP said the block of Bernard Avenue/St. Paul St/Doyle Ave/ Bertram Street is now closed to the public until further notice.
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“Due to safety concerns, the area is being evacuated. If you are in this area, please leave as soon as possible in a safe manner,” said Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy in an emailed statement.
#Breaking RCMP evacuating area near Bernard Avenue and Bertram Street in downtown #Kelowna after a crane collapsed. No confirmation of injuries but police are calling it a “significant incident” with an industrial crane. @GlobalOkanagan (video: Jeff Martin) pic.twitter.com/7bLp9g0V7P
— Shelby Thom (@Shelby_Thom) July 12, 2021
“Please remain away from this area at this time.”
The apartment building where the incident occurred is called Brooklyn at Bernard Block.
Witnesses said the massive crane collapsed at approximately 11:00 a.m. Video from the scene shows major damage to a building and at least one vehicle.
There is a significant emergency response with RCMP, the Kelowna fire department and BC Emergency Health Services on scene.
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No injuries have been confirmed by authorities, but police are calling it a “significant incident” involving an industrial crane.
First responders from the long line rescue team in Kelowna have been called in to assist with the #cranecollapse in #kelowna #breaking pic.twitter.com/LiFjR3sAbL
— Jamie Tawil (@JamieTawil) July 12, 2021
Dan Blocka, a part-time Kelowna resident, said he spotted the crane coming down.
“I just got on the bus at the Queensway bus depot to go to UBC and when I sat down looking east, a big part of a crane just tipped northward from Bernard going north,” he told Global News.
“I was in shock looking up and seeing this thing go down.”
The City of Kelowna said it could not provide any information at this time.
“It is an evolving situation,” said city spokesperson Tom Wilson.
More to come