Bentall Memorial Tribute to Four Carpenters, Video, 2014
A poignant tribute to the four carpenters who tragically lost their lives in the Bentall IV tower construction accident in downtown Vancouver on January 7, 1981. The video highlights the victims, the accident, the aftermath and legacy.
Every year, people gather in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, to remember carpenters Guenter Otto Couvreux, Donald Wayne Davis, Yrjo Mitrunen, and Brian John Stevenson. All four were killed on January 7, 1981, when a flyform they were working on broke away during the construction of Bentall IV.
The accident sparked widespread anger, particularly as it involved Dominion Construction, a prominent union contractor known for its good safety record. A coroner’s inquest held in March 1981 determined that the design of the false work (fly form) was flawed and unstable, and crucial safety regulations had not been met. Testimony at the inquest revealed that workers had informed supervisors about existing issues, but no action was taken. The inquest recommended a specific construction industry safety inquiry, which investigated safety issues across the province for a year, ultimately leading to a final report with over 60 recommendations.
Interviews and archival footage help keep their memory alive, while reminding us all of the continued importance of health and safety issues in the work place.