British columbia | BC Coroner confirms identity of children in house fire
Mackenzie | 3 Feb 2012
The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of two young children who died on Jan. 31 in a house fire in the community of Mackenzie.
The deceased are Joseph and Gabrielle Fleury, who resided in the home with their parents and sister. The boy and girl were twins and would have turned two next month.
Joseph and Gabrielle died after a fire broke out in the home about 7 a.m. on Jan. 31. The parents and sister managed to escape, but despite the desperate efforts of family members, neighbours and first responders, Joseph and Gabrielle could not be rescued.
The Coroners Service is continuing its investigation into these deaths along with a fire investigator from the Prince George fire department and the RCMP.
The Coroners Service expresses our sympathy to the Fleury family, and also our appreciation to the police officers and Mackenzie fire department volunteers who worked so diligently on the rescue and recovery efforts.
British Columbia | Police issue Ecstacy warning
Central Saanich | 3 Feb 2012
The Central Saanich Police Service and the Sidney North Saanich RCMP are asking parents of teenagers to have a conversation with their kids tonight about the drug ecstasy.
Last week, Central Saanich Police officers responded to drug overdose at a house party in Saanichton. When emergency crews arrived, a teenage boy was found in medical distress after taking the drug ecstasy. At this party there were several under age youth and all were drinking alcohol.
Fortunately, one of the youth recognized the serious reaction the boy was having after taking the drug and called 911 and the boy has survived this overdose. Many others in British Columbia have not been so fortunate. On average, BC has 20 Ecstasy related deaths each year, however, there has been a significant spike in ecstasy related deaths in the last six months.
The Central Saanich Police Service and the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP recognize that drug usage does not have borders. Our communities are being affected by this drug and we are united in our message to keep our kids safe from the devastating harm of illicit drugs.
Our message to parents is to talk to your kids about the following:
· Talk to your kids about using drugs.
· There is no such thing as a “bad batch” of synthetic drugs, because there is no “good batch”. Every tablet represents a potentially serious health risk whether that be short term or long term.
· “Ecstasy” is a street name not a chemical formula. Producers may use a variety of dangerous chemicals and still sell pills as “Ecstasy”.
· There is no safe dosage when taking these pills. Even a single use can lead to serious illness or death.
· These drugs are produced in kitchens, garages, bathrooms and worse. There is no way to know what you are eating when you swallow a tablet.
· If your kids are at a house party and see someone in medical distress – CALL 911. It may save a life.
British Columbia | Four members of same family killed, one person injured in high-impact RTC near Barriere
Highway 5 near Barriere | 1 Feb 2012
In the evening of Wednesday, February 1st at approximately 8:30 PM, RCMP Central Interior Traffic Services and Barriere RCMP attended to a report of a motor vehicle accident along Highway #5 just north of Barriere, BC.
Early investigation indicates that an SUV (Suzuki Grand Vitara) traveling southbound on the highway lost control and slid across the highway into an oncoming tractor trailer.
The family of four in the SUV was en route from Edmonton to California. All four occupants of the vehicle, a 47 year-old male, 37 year-old female, a 7 year-old boy and 3 year-old girl, died as a result of the crash.
Driver: SHOKRI, Benham – age 47 yrs
Wife: HAMEDI KHORASANI, Shirin – age 37 yrs
Son: SHOKRI, Daniel – age 6 yrs
Daughter: SHOKRI, Delina – age 3 yrs
The driver of the trailer received minor injuries.
“Road conditions at the time of the accident were icy and typical for this time of the year in this area”, said S/Sgt. Steve Frayne, Unit Commander of Central Interior Traffic Services. “It is a devastating reminder for drivers to exercise caution on the roadways and to ensure their vehicles are prepared for the winter conditions.”
British Columbia | Off-duty RCMP officer rescues toddler from overturned submerged vehicle
Delta | 3 Feb 2012
On Wednesday Feb 1, 2012, at 7:00 AM, Alyse a 25-year-old mother of two and resident of Surrey, BC, was on her way to work when she swerved to avoid ducks waddling across Hwy 17. She reported losing control of her car which eventually came to rest overturned and partially submerged in a deep, overgrown, water filled ditch that runs adjacent to the Highway 17 in Delta, BC.
While not a witness to the collision, an off-duty RCMP officer and his wife were traveling south on Hwy 17 near 52nd Street in Delta, BC, when they observed a distraught, wet little boy climbing out of the ditch. The officer, Constable Aaron Jabs of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, stopped at the scene and the six-year-old boy, Jordan, alerted him to an overturned vehicle in the ditch. Due to the overgrowth of vegetation and low light conditions at the time, the vehicle was described as being “virtually invisible” to passing traffic.
Leaving Jordan with his wife, Cst. Jabs rushed down the steep ditch and into the water where, according to the boy’s mother Alyse, a frantic attempt was being made to get into the car to save Haylee, her 2-year-old little girl.
“We were stuck inside and I wasn’t sure how we’d get out,” says Alyse. “Once I realized we were upside down I tried unsuccessfully to open the door. Then I told Jordan to open the rear passenger door and go get help… he walked around the car and up the embankment by himself and started to try to flag someone down. The man ran from his vehicle down the hill. I was so distraught, and I asked him for help to get her out… It was dark and hard to see. His wife brought their phone which had a flashlight on it and he was able to get my daughter out.”
Only after her release from hospital did Alyse learn that it had been an off-duty RCMP officer that had rescued her daughter. “I had no idea he was a police officer! I couldn’t have gotten my daughter out without him. I don’t know his name, but I’d love to meet him again to thank him and his family for what they did for me and my children,” says Alyse.
When asked about his heroic actions that morning, the officer responded: “I did what any off-duty RCMP officer would do in the same situation. I made sure they all got out of the car as quickly as possible, called 911, and then kept them all safe until emergency crews could arrive.”
“A situation like this shows that whether officers are on or off-duty, public safety remains their number one priority, no matter where they are or in what community. Cst.Jabs is an exceptional IHIT investigator so his display of humanity here shows an extension of the kind of person he is,” says Inspector Ward Lymburner, Operations Officer with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. Cst. Jabs has seven years service with the RCMP and joined IHIT in 2011.
Lower Mainland District RCMP and EDIV Senior spokesperson Sgt. Peter Thiessen credits the fast action of the off-duty officer and Alyse’s use of proper child seats and seatbelts as the main reasons why there weren’t serious injuries as a result of the crash.
“Extremely violent levels of force are involved whenever a vehicle rolls or flips over while traveling at highway speeds. If vehicle occupants aren’t wearing their seatbelts and if child restraint systems aren’t properly installed when this occurs, an occupant ejection is almost inevitable with serious injuries or death as a result. The little girl here might have ended up unconscious and under water if she had not been properly secured in her child seat or if the vehicle position had shifted while submerged. Proper use of the child restraint and a fast extraction from the vehicle were crucial to the little girl’s safety in these circumstances,” says Sgt.Thiessen.
Alyse and her children were transported to hospital by ambulance following the collision for treatment of minor injuries and for further examination. All have since been released from hospital and are now safe at home.
British Columbia | Amy Chris wins BCAS Tony Sunderland Award
Amy Chris & Les Fisher
Fernie | 2 Feb 2012
On January 26, 2012, British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS) paramedic Amy Chris of Hosmer, B.C. was awarded the annual Tony Sunderland Memorial Plaque of Pride for her dedication and loyalty to the BCAS and her community.
“Amy was the unanimous choice for this award,” said BCAS Chief Operating Officer Les Fisher, who officiated at the ceremony in Fernie. “For 11 years, she had been a trusted and enthusiastic leader of BCAS community programs in addition to directing local safety and educational programs.”
President of the Fernie Paramedic Association, Amy Chris leads the annual BCAS Fernie Christmas Food Drive for the Salvation Army that feeds over 1,000 people. She also organizes the annual Elk Valley P.A.R.T.Y. program for Grade 10 students, which supports reducing alcohol and risk-related trauma in youth.
BCAS nominators say Chris earned the award for her exceptional acts of giving, kindness and inspiration to fellow paramedics and volunteers.
The Tony Sunderland Award was developed by the BCAS, in consultation with the Sunderland family, to commemorate his commitment to excellent service. Sunderland was the first paramedic in B.C. to pass away while on duty in 1988.
Tony Sunderland, 41, collapsed and died of a heart attack while attending to two critical patients from a motor vehicle accident near Endako, BC. Tony was the first British Columbia paramedic to die while on duty. He was married and had two sons.
British Columbia | Sechelt teenager saves his dad with CPR
Sechelt | 27 Jan 2012
Paul Jensen and his father, John, were installing pre-built stairs when John collapsed and stopped breathing. “I called 911 and the dispatcher told me how to do CPR on my dad and that the compressions have to be deep.”
BC Ambulance Service Paramedics Cheryl Jensen and Chris Watkins arrived within minutes of the emergency to find Paul still doing great compressions. “Deep pressure on the heart stimulates circulation throughout the body and primes the heart for therapy when the paramedics arrive,” says Sechelt Unit Chief Scott Spain.
John Jensen who has fully recovered will also attend the medal presentation. He says “my son’s only CPR training was years ago with the Boy Scouts.”
British Columbia | Two children killed, two children and two adults injured in house fire on Snaw Naw As Reserve
Nanoose First Nations | 26 Jan 2012
A house fire on the Snaw Naw As Reserve (Nanoose First Nations) has claimed the lives of two children, ages 7 and 10. Two adults and two other children in the home managed to escape. They are being treated at a local hospital for smoke inhalation.
At 5:05 AM, repeated 911 calls were received of a house fire. Multiple fire crews from nearby Lantzville Fire Dept attended and were on scene at 5:12 AM. When police arrived at 5:23 AM, the home was fully engulfed. Two BC Ambulances transported the injured to hospital for treatment.
Fire crews are still on scene and the fire has been suppressed. Nanaimo RCMP First Nations police officers as well as Nanaimo Victim Services are assisting with family and local band members. The incident is being investigated by the Nanaimo RCMP Serious Crime Unit, who are being assisted by the BC Fire Marshall’s office.
British Columbia | Update on victims of Burns Lake Explosion and Fire
Northern Health | 25 Jan 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Vanderhoof- 1 patient has been transferred from St. John’s hospital to UHNBC in Prince George.
Prince George- 1 patient discharged from UHNBC today. 3 patients (including the patient transferred from Vanderhoof), in stable condition, remain at UHNBC.
Current number of patients in NH care: 3
- Prince George: 3
Total number of patients transferred outside of NH: 7
- Vancouver: 4 – Vancouver Coastal Health update as of 26 Jan 2012:
Vancouver Coastal Health has four patients in care at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) who were injured in the Babine Forest Products mill explosion near Burns Lake. Of the four patients: One is in critical condition; One is in serious condition; and Two are in stable condition.
- Edmonton: 2
- Victoria: 1
These hospitals, or their respective Health Authority, will be able to provide status updates on patients in their facilities.
Total discharged: 9
Northern Health extends a vote of thanks to everyone, including physicians, nurses and emergency responders who worked tirelessly in response to this incident.
Northern Health passes on our sympathy to family, friends, the community of Burns Lake, and the First Nations communities affected by this tragedy.
British Columbia | Man seriously injured in shooting incident near Chase
Lee Creek area near Chase | 20 Jan 2012
The Chase RCMP are currently investigating a shooting that occurred early Wednesday morning at a home in the Lee Creek area near Chase BC. The victim, a 59 year old man remains in hospital care and is listed as in stable condition at this time.
On Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at approximately 0400 hours, the Chase RCMP responded to a complaint of a male who had been shot at a residence on Eva Road in Lee Creek, BC. Police attended the residence and confirmed that a 59 year old male was suffering from gun shot wounds.
BC Ambulance Services transported the man to the Kamloops Royal Inland Hospital for treatment. The man has since been transferred to another medical facility in order to provide him with the appropriate treatment due to the seriousness of the injuries sustained. The man remains in hospital care in stable condition.
“Investigators with the Chase Detachment assisted by resources from the North Okanagan Vernon Detachment General Investigation Section continue to examine the scene on Eva Road and are canvassing the area for information from local property owners. Investigation findings indicate that several shots were fired by suspect(s), while the man was inside the home and sustained the injuries. Police are confident that this was a targeted attack and the public are not at risk”. Stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk
No suspects have been identified at this time, however, Police are encouraging the public to contact the Chase RCMP at 250-679-3221, Crimestoppers or their local RCMP Detachment if they have any information regarding this incident.
British Columbia | Remembering RCMP pilot Dave Brolin
Vancouver | 20 Jan 2012
The tragic death of pilot Dave Brolin, killed on Tuesday when the helicopter he was flying crashed in the area of Cultus Lake, BC, marks the passing of much more than a dedicated civilian member of the RCMP and an excellent and highly skilled pilot with over 25 years of flying experience.
Dave Brolin was a dedicated family man, father to an 8-year-old girl and 11-year-old boy. Born in California, Dave Brolin grew up and resided in Cloverdale and South Surrey.
Dave Brolin, aged 46, joined the RCMP as a civilian member in June 2006 and worked full time as a helicopter pilot assigned to “E” Division Air Services. He flew Lower Mainland Traffic Services helicopters Air 1 and Air 2 as well as flew Air 5 which is a helicopter frequently used for search and rescue operations as well as for the deployment of members of the Police Dog Service and the Emergency Response Team.
Dave Brolin was flying Air 5 and had just successfully completed a training exercise with the Emergency Response Team and was preparing to return to base when the helicopter was seen crashing. The Transportation Safety Board and the BC Coroners Service are currently investigating the incident.
Prior to joining the RCMP, Dave Brolin was a pilot with the United States Army and with Blackcomb Aviation in Whistler. During his service in the United States Army, Dave flew in various sorties during Operation Desert Storm.
His enthusiasm and courage will be remembered, his contributions and impact will be everlasting.
Members of the public wishing to leave a message of condolence to the family of David Brolin can do so by clicking on this link.
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