1 dead, another injured by fallen trees in Surrey during B.C. windstorm: officials
A tragic incident occurred in Surrey on Saturday, as a person lost their life after being struck by a falling tree branch during a windstorm on B.C.’s South Coast. The Surrey Fire Service received a call about a traumatic injury in the 17500-block of 29th Avenue in South Surrey at around 10 a.m. PT. Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Siggs stated that firefighters responded to the scene, where a person had been hit by a falling tree branch. The victim’s condition was not disclosed at the time, but Surrey Police Service later confirmed that the individual had passed away.
In a separate incident on the same morning, firefighters were called to rescue another person who was trapped under a fallen tree in the 14600-block of 72 Ave in Newton. Six firefighters worked alongside B.C. Ambulance personnel to extricate the individual from under the tree and provide necessary medical assistance.
The windstorm, with wind speeds reaching 70 km/h and gusts of up to 100 km/h, caused significant damage across Metro Vancouver. Over 300,000 B.C. Hydro customers on the West Coast experienced power outages due to downed power lines and fallen trees. However, by late Saturday night, nearly 90 percent of customers had their power restored, with crews working tirelessly overnight to address any remaining outages.
The storm not only caused power disruptions but also resulted in other incidents, such as a black canopy tent being blown off a building on Alberni Street in downtown Vancouver. The tent collided with two vehicles upon falling, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Tania Visintin confirmed that the object was removed from the road without any further incidents.
Despite the challenges posed by the windstorm, the South Coast community came together to address the aftermath, with emergency services responding swiftly to ensure public safety. The strong winds led to various warnings, ferry cancellations, regional damage, and even a landslide in some areas. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide support to those affected by the storm.
