Bentall Memorial Tribute to Four Carpenters

On January 7, 1981, four carpenters working on the construction of the Bentall IV building in downtown Vancouver lost their lives when the flyform they were standing on - 36 floors above the ground - suddenly collapsed beneath their feet. It was a critical moment in British Columbia's history that immediately focused attention on the construction industry and ultimately resulted in fundamental changes to B.C.'s occupational health and safety regulations. This video, produced for the BC Labour Heritage Centre, tells the story of these carpenters' sacrifice.

[@samspade1841]

I was a 20 year old apprentice working on that job that day. I had just taken the lift up with the young fellow who fell to his death. I have never forgotten the exact moment when there was a loud bang, shaking of the building (fly scaffold had hit around the 20 th floor) and then an unbelievable loud explosion when it hit the ground. I was on the 33rd floor with a number of other tradesmen. I looked down below (no windows) and saw dust settling at the ground. I remember seeing someone coming out from under a piece of plywood out on the street. When I got down to the 6th floor I looked below and saw blood and guts on the wall of a concrete foundation abutment. 6 body bags for 4 people. I will never forget that day as long as I live. I’m 62 now and was never the same after that. I had a difficult time working heights and was unable to even step out on the fly scaffold after that. May those men and their families find peace.

[@bradb5445]

I Witnessed this Accident when I' was 16 years old I wish I could get a hold of the family member to let them know what I saw before and after . And where I was at that time . As I did not realize what I saw until a couple days later when it was on bctv news . That day will forever be in my mind .I'm 57 now . Still haunts me .

[@TheMattc999]

How the hell am I the first comment on a 5 year old video? Why did it take youtube 5 years to put this in my recommended videos? How does this have almost 5 thousand views but only 33 likes? I've got some serious questions for youtube at this point....

[@bradb5445]

I really wish there was a way I could get ahold of this person is on this video I saw what happened as a little boy and I'd love to tell them what I saw prior to this from beginning to end the actual accident but I tried and I can't find these people I live with this for many many years and now nearly 60 I just wish I could talk to the next of kin I just fill in what I saw it may not mean much but it might is a very sad day