Rain does little to extinguish Dog Mountain fire
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Tuesday, July 14, 2015
FATALITY
Engine stoppage led to boat death
Coroner reports that boat lifted into air before hitting water, police continue investigation by seeking eyewitness accounts ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
A mechanical failure factored into Saturday’s boating fatality on Sproat Lake, according to findings from the B.C. Coroners Service. Michael David Douglas died on the lake Saturday afternoon after the engine suddenly cut out on a speed boat he was riding, causing the high-powered vehicle to temporarily lift in the air before crashing into the water, reported the coroner Monday afternoon. The 39-year-old Langford resident was discovered by RCMP divers the following morning, after the boat’s driver, who has not been identified, was air-lifted to the Victoria General Hospital on Saturday with serious injuries. Emergency personnel were called
RICHARDS
to the scene after 4:30 p.m. Saturday to discover pieces of the boat scattered on the lake. “There was a debris field that was a bit downwind from the
actual incident location,” said Dave Poulsen, president of Alberni Valley Search and Rescue, who were among the crews dispatched to the scene. “There was a couple pieces of a boat, there was seat cushions, the odd life jacket and unfortunately some sandals, stuff like that were all floating around.” The boat’s driver is still in hospital with severe injuries. He was removed from the water by witnesses on the lake and taken to an ambulance on the shore. “There was a number of people out in the area that had already started to provide assistance, were marking the location of where the debris was,” said Insp. Mac Richards of the Port Alberni RCMP. The deceased was missing until Sunday morning, when RCMP
divers followed markers placed by search and rescue over the location of the speed boat’s engine block. “We sat on the area where air bubbles and oil was coming out, most likely out of the engine block, for quite some time and then we dropped dive markers on top of them,” Poulson said. Although the victim has been identified and an autopsy is forthcoming, police are reaching out to the public for more information about the death. They have not ruled out criminal activity, and request photographs, videos or any accounts from those who saw the boat or the victims before the crash. “We’re trying to piece together what led to where we are on Saturday,” Richards said. “We’re still
COMMUNITY
pursuing all avenues until we’re led to believe otherwise. We always start with that potential that there is a criminal involvement and then we work backwards.” Police and search and rescue encourage the public to use lifejackets and take all necessary precautions before motoring out on Sproat Lake. “Boats on the lake, they’re getting faster and faster and it’s my understanding that this boat had somewhere in the neighbourhood of 465 horsepower,” said Poulsen. “Some people consider them fun, but they also need to be very aware that there is an inherent risk and danger that goes along with that fun.” Eric.Plummer@avtimes.net
ENVIRONMENT
Rain has Hot summer brings earlier crops for farmers, market sees younger clientele little affect on Valley, drought continues
KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Vendors at the Spirit Square Farmers Market are hoping to double the number of people visiting their Saturday stands. An initiative launched by the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets at the beginning of the month is aimed at getting more people to support local growers. Meet My Market runs through July and the Spirit Square is one of several markets in the province taking part. “We want to encourage people to support local food, healthy eating and the economy,” said Teresa O’Neil, board member and vendor of the Spirit Square Farmers Market. Vendors have noticed the early arrival of crops, but also a hampering of some with the hot, dry weather. “Blueberries are selling at the market already,” O’Neil said. Market manager, Vicki Lee, said one thing she has noticed is a change in demographics. “We are seeing a lot more young people,” Lee said. “They are concerned about what they and their kids are eating.” Last week, the Spirit Square Farmers Market introduced its first food demonstration to show the public how to cook simple, healthy meals using fresh, local produce. It is something organizers intend to continue throughout the summer. The coupon program for low-income families is also successful this year. It is a way for families to have the choice of fresh, organic produce and meat. Board members are hoping community donors will support a new bursary the market is spearheading, aimed at future agricultural students. The market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Harbour Quay. Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net
ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
A total of 16.6 mm of rain fell between Saturday and Sunday according to Environment Canada, but officials say it will take more rain and conservation efforts to end this summer’s drought conditions. “The rain we saw was only a drop in a very empty bucket,” said Matt MacDonald, meteorologist with Environment Canada. “It was welcome, though, given how dry it has been.” The weekend’s precipitation was the first rainfall for Port Alberni since June 2. Saturday saw the most with 14.8 mm of rain, while Sunday only accumulated 1.8 mm. That is half the normal amount usually seen in July. Even so, MacDonald said Port Alberni is still in a drought. “Drought happens progressively, so even with the weekend rain, we have only seen 17 per cent of normal amounts for the last three months,” MacDonald said. The past three months have been significantly below average, he added. From May to July, Port Alberni received 32.2 mm of rain, while normally the Valley sees upwards of 191 mm during the same time. Rainfall for May was a record low of 1.4 mm, compared to the normal of 89.5 mm. June saw 14.2 mm and the normal for the month is 70 mm. Monty Mah (left) and Nash Dhaliwal are regularly at the Spirit Square Farmers Market selling boxes of their fresh blueberries. This year blueberry season started early with the hot weather. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
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