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45 years since Bentall tower tragedy

DCN-JOC News Services
45 years since Bentall tower tragedy
WARREN FREY — Red and white roses, each one symbolizing the death of a worker in the last year, are placed on the Bentall IV memorial to Gunther Couvreux, Brian Stevenson, Donald Davis and Yrjo Mitrunen who died on Jan. 7, 1981 when their fly form collapsed and they fell 36 storeys from the Bentall IV tower to their deaths.

VANCOUVER – The annual Bentall memorial will take place today (Jan. 7), paying tribute to the four Vancouver construction workers who fell to their deaths from the 36th floor of the Bentall Centre Tower IV building 45 years ago.

On Jan. 7, 1981, Gunther Couvreux, Brian Stevenson, Donald Davis and Yrjo Mitrunen plunged to their deaths when their fly form collapsed. It is one of the worst workplace tragedies in B.C.’s history.

According to the BC Building Trades, 2026 victims’ families, construction worker representatives, labour leaders and government representatives will gather to demand safer work environments.

The memorial ceremony will take place at noon at the Burrard Skytrain Station, Art Phillips Park: 625 Burrard St.

Speakers will include: 

  • David Eby – Premier
  • Don Davies – MP
  • Mike Klassen – Vancouver Councillor
  • Sussanne Skidmore – President of the BC Federation of Labour
  • David Young – WorkSafeBC
  • Brynn Bourke – Executive director of the BC Building Trades

Family members of the Bentall construction workers killed have also confirmed their attendance.

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