A carnival worker is dead and a community in mourning in Prince Rupert, B.C., after a celebratory night turned tragic on Tuesday.
Few details have been released, but RCMP and other agencies confirmed the death took place at around 10:40 p.m. PT on the opening night of the Prince Rupert Summer Carnival.
Symbia Barnaby (Guu Gaa Jung) says her daughter witnessed the incident, which took place at the Zipper, a ride that rotates fair-goers in individual carts while also quickly rotating itself.
She says her daughter told her she was near the front of the line when the worker walked out onto the deck, seemingly to clean something up, when he was hit by the ride.
“She was really impacted by what happened,” said Barnaby, who is Haida and works as an Indigenous practice adviser.
Barnaby was on site Wednesday to help lead healing ceremonies for everyone affected by the tragedy in the North Coast community.
She said it was important to provide support for both those who live in Prince Rupert, and the co-workers of the man who died.
“There were people trapped on the ride,” she said. “There were people calling for help … there were a lot of things that people witnessed that they’re taking on and we just want to make sure that they’re supported.”
Dozens of people attended the ceremony, including Russell Stewart, who was taking his kids on their final ride of the night when, he says, the energy of the evening changed.
“It was a really, really tragic event,” he said. “It’s something you don’t want your kids around. It literally felt like a bad movie.”
In a Facebook post, the Mission-based Shooting Star Amusements, which operates the carnival in northwestern B.C., identified the man as a worker, adding he was also a “dear close friend” and a “great man.”
Police would only say that they responded to a call of an unconscious man near one of the rides, and that he was later pronounced deceased, directing further questions to WorkSafeBC and the B.C. Coroners Service, both of whom declined to provide any further information.
Technical Safety B.C., an independent organization that oversees the safe installation of equipment including amusement rides, said it is also investigating.
Shooting Star Amusements says the carnival will not open in Prince Rupert on Wednesday or Thursday, and refunds will be offered for online purchases that have not yet been used.
Counsellors available
Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond says he was worried about the impact the death had on his community.
“You come to a carnival full of joy and you experience a horrible, horrible sight,” he said, adding the city is providing counselling to those who need it, which he encouraged people to use.
“Reach out, don’t try to do this on your own.”
In a statement Wednesday morning, the City of Prince Rupert said it is “deeply saddened” by the death.
“Our hearts go out to their family, friends, and coworkers during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement reads.
“We know that this loss is felt beyond those closest to the individual, and that many in our community may be struggling in the aftermath.”
Victim services counsellors have been made available to provide support to anyone directly affected, including carnival employees.
The city says investigations are underway and the area has been cordoned off. It’s asking residents to respect all barricades in place while that work continues.
