Wednesday, June 19, 2019 [Updated June 20 at 2:45 pm and 6 pm]
~ West Shore Voice News
Further update June 24, 2019: Name of the deceased teen is Tai Caverhill. He reportedly called out to his friends to run, that the tree was falling.
========================= as Posted June 19 & 20:
A 13-year-old boy has died and another 13-year-old male teen injured by a tree that fell on them at Camp Barnard in Otter Point (west of Sooke).
Emergency crews — three paramedic crews and an air ambulance — responded to arrive on the scene around 3:30 pm this afternoon, Wednesday June 19, after receiving calls around 3 pm that a teen was trapped by a fallen tree.
“Life saving measures were performed on the teen by camp personnel and first responders but tragically the teen did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene,” say Cpl Dawn Gilhen of Sooke RCMP. The teen was an 8th-grader at Lansdowne Middle School.
“Our thoughts are with the young man’s family and friends as they grieve this very tragic incident,” says Cpl Gilhen.
RCMP say the teen who died had been found trapped under a tree; he was unconscious and not breathing. The BC Coroners Service is investigating the young man’s death. But for now under conditions of a windy day (gusts up to 80 kph) and dry trees (this is the sixth summer with drought conditions) being blown over in many locations around BC, it’s likely a tree in the middle of hiking trail simply fell at the wrong place at the wrong time. And in that context, for many it is just being referred to as a freak accident.
The injured youth was transported to hospital with critical injuries. He was reportedly in stable condition on June 19. On June 20 Sooke RCMP say the injuries are considered non-life-threatening. SD61 said the injured teen is now “home and resting”.
Both Lansdowne Middle School students were at Camp Barnard on a 3-day wilderness stay, but were returned to their school by bus on Wednesday after the accident happened.
The Greater Victoria School District 61 Superintendent Shelley Green issued a statement to the school community, delivering the news and offering counselling for students and staff.
“We are saddened by the loss to our school community, and will make every effort to support you and your child as you need,” said Green in a letter.
Camp Barnard at Young Lake is a popular spot for camping and outdoor activities, especially for Scouts or youth on school field trips. On 250 acres in a deeply wooded area west of Sooke, the campground offers wilderness experiences for youth and adult groups. Facilities include rustic cabins, a dining hall and back-country tent sites.
The campground has been operating for about 50 years, and in the last few years underwent some upgrades to the dining hall facility and washrooms. Camp fees and rental rates are kept low, and the organization does fundraising. Sponsors and supporters include Peninsula Co-op, Times Colonist, CIBC, Return-It Bottle Depot, Thrifty Foods, Corix Golf for Kids, and Canadian Tire.
On Thursday, June 20 Premier John Horgan offered his condolences to the family and everyone affected by the tragedy at Camp Barnard on Wednesday. Speaking from his premier’s office in Vancouver, Horgan said that the school year-end should be a joyous time with friends.
The SD61 school district said it will be reviewing its policy for safety of school field trips.