Five years after the deadly crane collapse in Kelowna, British Columbia, the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 115 is calling for immediate action, arguing that the victims’ families have waited far too long for answers and accountability.
The tragedy occurred on July 12, 2021, when a crane collapsed at a construction site, claiming the lives of Cailen Vilness, Jared Zook, Eric Stemmer, Patrick Stemmer and Brad Zawislak. The incident remains one of the deadliest workplace accidents in British Columbia’s history.
According to IUOE Local 115, the families, friends and colleagues of the five workers continue to wait for clarity about what led to the fatal collapse.
To increase pressure on authorities, the union has launched a letter-writing campaign urging the BC Prosecution Service to bring the case to a conclusion as quickly as possible.
Earlier this year, the Journal of Commerce contacted the BC Prosecution Service for an update. The agency responded that the investigation and charge assessment remain ongoing, describing the case as complex and saying there is still no timeline for completion.
The criminal investigation by the Kelowna RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit concluded in February 2024, after which investigators submitted their findings to the BC Prosecution Service for charge assessment related to possible criminal negligence causing death. That review is still underway.
WorkSafeBC completed its independent investigation into the collapse on May 16, 2023, but the organization has not released its full report, explaining that doing so could affect the ongoing legal process.
IUOE Local 115 Business Manager Bryan Railton said the prolonged delay has left the victims’ families without the closure they deserve.
“The families have waited long enough,” Railton said. “Justice delayed is justice denied. At this point, this five-year delay seems like a complete failure of the system.”
The union is also calling on British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma to use all available powers to help move the case forward and bring a resolution for the families affected by the tragedy.
