Alberta
‘A miracle’: Advocate says help being planned for victims of Calgary house explosion
Firefighters attend the scene of a house explosion that injured several people, destroyed one home and damaged others in Calgary on Monday, March 27, 2023. A leader in Calgary’s South Sudanese community says efforts will be made to provide financial help to 10 people seriously injured in a house explosion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
By Bill Graveland in Calgary
A leader in Calgary’s South Sudanese community says efforts are to be made to provide financial help to 10 people seriously injured in a house explosion.
The blast Monday destroyed one home, damaged several others and left part of the roof from the house that blew up in a yard across the street in the neighbourhood east of downtown.
Calgary Emergency Medical Services has said all the victims were adults, and that six of them had life-threatening injuries and four were seriously hurt.
Community advocate Gar Gar said it appears all of the victims were from South Sudan. Gar said he and some of the victims’ family members met at one of the hospitals where the injured were taken.
“I met a son who came to the hospital and went in and saw his dad and you could see the tears in his eyes. That sounds like it’s related to something that he saw and the shape is father is in,” Gar said Tuesday.
“There are family members, cousins, uncles and their nephews and nieces. Eventually, those will be the houses that some of them, when they get out of the hospital, might also be hoping to get back in.”
The fire department said the force of the explosion created “a large debris field” and several fires. A tangle of what appeared to be charred beams, pink insulation and splintered wood could be seen where the house once stood.
Homes on either side were charred and one had a shattered window. A tree in front had a piece of plywood and other debris stuck in it.
Gar said after hearing about the explosion and seeing its aftermath, he can’t believe there have been no deaths so far.
“To hear that they’re still fighting for their lives and some of them are stable — that by itself is a miracle and we give thanks for the responders who came in and took them so quick,” he said.
“Back home, we would probably have been talking about something different.”
Gar said if all 10 victims were living inside the home, he wants to know why.
“That’s certainly something we are asking when we get more details to see what kept 10 people in one house. Is that affordability issues or is that simply because we’re seeing the homelessness coming into the South Sudanese community?”
Gar said community members will be meeting with the families Tuesday to see about setting up a crowdfunding page.
“Basically they lost everything in one blink of an eye. They’re fighting not to lose their lives,” Gar said.
“We’re hoping to rally around those families and the community to come together and to support them where we can.”
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2023.
News release from Innisfail RCMP
Innisfail RCMP seek public assistance in locating missing elderly female – Update #3
Innisfail, Alta. – RCMP would like to provide additional details and clarify some information with regards the search efforts and the ultimate rescue of Lorraine Vandenbosch who went missing from Dickson Point Campground on May 29, 2023.
Upon locating Lorraine as she emerged from a heavily wooded area, rescue teams had difficulties transporting her due to a steep embankment. Alberta RCMP Air Services were again up to the task in supporting rescue efforts by landing in the difficult location and transporting Lorraine . She was taken for medical assessment and ultimately transported by STARS to hospital. Lorraine remains confused about her ordeal and RCMP have few details at this time.
Background
June 1, 2023
Innisfail RCMP seek public assistance in locating missing elderly female – Update #2
Innisfail, Alta. – RCMP are please to report that after 4 days of searching, Lorraine Vandenbosch has been located by rescue teams alive and in good spirits.
The RCMP helicopter located Lorainne this morning at approximately 9:30 a.m. walking out of a heavily wood area near the Dickson Trout Pond.
Lorainne is receiving precautionary medical attention and is with her family.
RCMP would like to thank the tireless effort of all involved in this search: Red Deer County SAR, Rocky Mountain House SAR, Sundre SAR, Wetaskiwin SAR, Red Deer County Patrol, Innisfail Fire Dept, Red Deer County Fire Dept, Spruceview Fire Dept, Alberta Conservation Officers, Raven Crime Watch and Mounted Horse volunteers.
RCMP would also like to thank the organizations that provided food to the teams, Spruceview Bakery and Red Deer Costco. This support allowed the rescue teams to continue working long hours.
Background
Innisfail RCMP seek public assistance in locating missing elderly female – Update
Innisfail, Alta. – Innisfail RCMP continue to search for Lorraine Vadenbosch who went missing from the Dickson Point Campground at Glennifer Lake yesterday. RCMP with assistance from Red Deer County, Sundre, and Rocky Mountain House Search and Rescue teams are actively searching the area.
While search teams continue to search, we are asking residents in the Glennifer Lake, Dickson, Spruce View, and nearby areas, to check your properties including treed outcroppings and outbuildings for Lorraine.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Lorraine, please contact the Innisfail RCMP Detachment at 403-227-3342. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
May 29, 2023
Innisfail RCMP seek public assistance in locating missing elderly female
Innisfail. Alta. – Innisfail RCMP are seeking public assistance in locating a missing elderly female. Lorraine Vandenbosch (78), a resident of Didsbury, was last seen on May 29, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at the Dickson Point Campground at Gleniffer Lake. Lorraine may be confused and there is great concern for her safety.
Lorraine is described as:
- 5 feet tall
- Red hair
- Light complexion
- Last seen wearing white pants, white and black shirt, black runners and a cream colored hat
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Lorraine, please contact the Innisfail RCMP Detachment at 403-227-3342. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
TORONTO — The head of Ontario’s cannabis distributor says the “race to the bottom” happening with pot prices risks hurting the market’s future.
Ontario Cannabis Store chief executive David Lobo says when consumers get used to paying lower prices, it can take a generation to change their perception and convince people to pay more again.
In an economy where inflation is stubbornly high and raising the costs of most consumer goods, he says the industry can’t keep pushing lower.
Lobo says the OCS is doing its part in fighting the race to the bottom with a forthcoming plan to lower its margins, which he estimates could hand $60 million to licensed pot producers next year.
Since recreational cannabis was legalized in 2018, pot producers have been dropping prices to fight the illicit market, where weed is much cheaper and sellers operate outside restrictions imposed on the legal market.
Statistics Canada said a gram of legal cannabis cost $10.29 on average in 2019, whereas the OCS had some dried flower products selling for under $4 this week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2023.
The Canadian Press
20 year old Red Deer man faces child pornography charges
‘Tragic accident’ blamed for recent death of giraffe at Calgary Zoo
Police looking for these 3 suspects after Super 8 Motel in Innisfail robbed early Monday morning
United Conservatives jump out to early lead in tight Alberta election
-
Agriculture2 days agoCanada saw decline in fresh fruit, vegetable availability in 2022: StatCan
-
Health2 days agoHealth Foundation commits $325,000 to support child, adolescent mental health
-
Disaster2 days agoOne adult, 16 children injured in fall during school trip to Winnipeg historic site
-
armed conflict2 days agoCourt of Appeal overturns ruling directing Ottawa to help repatriate men in Syria
-
International2 days agoDavid Johnston plans to keep role, as House of Commons votes for him to step aside
-
Business23 hours agoPeavey Industries LP, the Red Deer-based retailer, has announced the acquisition of long-term partner and fellow Red Deer stalwart, Guy’s Freightways.
-
National1 day agoFirefighters from U.S., South Africa to battle Canada’s ‘unprecedented’ fires
-
Social Media2 days agoMeta starts testing paid verification for Canadian Facebook, Instagram creators