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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.