Film set Crews take over Nanaimo locations to shoot new Godzilla movie. PAGE 7 Wetland report Group opposes development near Linley Valley park. PAGE 15 Folk icon Valdy performs intimate concert at St. Andrew’s United Church. PAGE 3
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THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
VOL. 24, NO. 138
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Ferry disrupted as vehicle crashes through ramp gate Gabriola Island passengers transported on foot passenger vessel Wednesday BY TOBY GORMAN THE NEWS BULLETIN
CHRIS BUSH/THE NEWS BULLETIN
Cavern kids Aidan De Jong, left, Kaleb Elley, Jackson Trepke, Georgia Cochrane, Jack Cochrane, Miranda Trepke and Julie Cochrane use headlamps to light their way through the mineshaft exhibit at Nanaimo Museum Tuesday. The museum is hosting children’s tours and activities this week during spring break. Please visit the Nanaimo Museum website at www. nanaimomuseum.ca for more information about spring break activities.
Foul play not suspected in woman’s death BY CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
Foul play is no longer suspected behind the death of a woman whose body was found in Lantzville early Tuesday. Nanaimo RCMP and B.C. Coroner’s Service conducted their investigation of the scene on Peterson Road, a quiet residential street in Lantzville where the woman’s body was found lying beside the
road between Lantzville Road and Lynn Drive. Sgt. Sheryl Armstrong, Nanaimo RCMP spokeswoman, said because the area where the woman was discovered lies outside Nanaimo city limits and outside the jurisdiction of Nanaimo RCMP’s municipal force, provincial RCMP investigators were brought in from Victoria. Investigators from Nanaimo and Victoria were on scene until just after 11 a.m. when the body
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was removed. They determined foul play was not suspected in the woman’s death. “Investigators have been on the scene and at this time it’s believed it’s going to be turned over to the coroner’s office as foul play is no longer suspected,” Armstrong said. The B.C. Coroner’s Service is continuing its investigation into the death. photos@nanaimobulletin.com
Gabriola RCMP continue to investigate why a vehicle sped through closed gates at B.C. Ferries’ Descanso Bay terminal on Gabriola Island, launched off a raised ferry access ramp, landed on the deck of the docked MV Quinsam and continued until it plunged into the ocean early Wednesday morning. Police received 911 calls just after 3:45 a.m. and were on scene within a few minutes, but there was no sign of the vehicle or anybody who may have been in it. Requests for Canadian Coast Guard and Nanaimo Harbour Patrol assistance were immediately made and a coast guard hovercraft arrived on the scene at 4:54 a.m., according to an RCMP press release. The vehicle is believed to be immersed in more than 50 metres of water, too deep for RCMP divers, so navy divers were called for assistance. As of press time Wednesday afternoon, divers had yet to locate the vehicle, its driver, or any potential occupants.
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A barrier at the terminal was destroyed and the Quinsam sustained minor damage but is operational. It remains tied at its berth for the duration of the police investigation, according to a B.C. Ferries official. B.C. Ferries provided foot passengers with a water taxi to transport them between Gabriola Island and the Nanaimo Harbour, and vehicle traffic has been halted during the investigation. A similar incident took place in May 2011 at B.C. Ferries Swartz Bay terminal when an agitated customer suddenly accelerated his vehicle to 80 km/h from his place in line, charged at the barriers blocking Berth 1, and plunged into 10-metre deep water. Divers recovered both the driver’s body and vehicle. For the latest updates on this story, please visit our website at www.nanaimo bulletin.com. For updates on sailing times and terminal conditions, please visit B.C. Ferries’ website at www.bc ferries.com. reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com
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