Collapsed platform in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar last repaired a decade ago: city
The elevated walkway in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar that collapsed during a school field trip, sending 16 children and one adult to hospital, was last repaired a decade ago.
As CTV News previously reported, a group of Grade 5 students from St. John's-Ravenscourt School had visited the fort on Wednesday morning. While the group was on a walkway about four to six metres high, it collapsed.
Emergency crews took 17 people to hospital including 16 children – all of whom are 10 to 11 years old – and one adult.
A spokesperson for Shared Health said as of Thursday, all but two have been discharged. The two remaining in hospital are in stable condition.
Emergency officials told CTV News on Wednesday they do not know what led to the fall.
The incident even drew the attention of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who was in Winnipeg Thursday.
"My thoughts are with the students, teachers and families affected by yesterday's incident at Fort Gibraltar," she said. "Thank you to the first responders and the staff at the Children's Hospital for acting so quickly. I really hope that everyone who has been injured recovers quickly and fully."
A city spokesperson said repairs were made to the structure in 2004 and 2013, according to records.
The repairs in 2004 were made to the palisade’s elevated walkway, which included, “replacing stringers and treads of stairs and replacing rotten wailers on wall sections,” the spokesperson said, adding an inspection was conducted.
In 2013, crews repaired sections of the palisade, repairing rotten rails, rickets and fencing with new wood. While a development permit was pulled, the city spokesperson said an inspection was not necessary.
The spokesperson said based on an initial search of their records, they had not received complaints about Fort Gibraltar. They said if they do receive a complaint about a potential hazard, it is inspected.
“The city will be conducting an inspection to determine the extent of the damage and the steps required to remedy it. Until such time, the property will remain closed,” the spokesperson wrote.
The city said that inspectors from the planning, property and development department went to the fort Thursday.
“As a result of this inspection, the owner’s rep (Festival du Voyageur) has been directed to retain the services of a professional engineer," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
They said the engineer will need to do an assessment of the entire complex for any unsafe conditions and provide documentation for any repairs needed. The spokesperson said the work associated with the repairs will require appropriate building permits and inspections.
The fort will remain closed until the work is completed.
Speaking Thursday, Mayor Scott Gillingham said he is hoping to find out information on when the last inspection of the site occurred.
He said he also wants to know about the frequency of inspections.
“We do have regular inspections,” Gillingham said. “I want to find out, for our city facilities where the public is accessing them, how often are we inspecting them.”
Premier Heather Stefanson said the province will be working with the city to ensure that there are better safety mechanisms in place for children.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.