Latest news with #BowenIsland
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
4-year-old killed in West Vancouver bus crash identified
It was a clear, sunny day last Wednesday when Silvana de Oliveira Schramm and her four-year-old son Leonardo took a day trip to Bowen Island, off the Metro Vancouver coast. She texted her husband Clineu Machado photos of their adventure, including one of them on the ferry's sundeck, with Leonardo all smiles, the wind in his hair. It would be the last photo of her and her son that she would send her husband. That afternoon, back on the mainland and waiting at a bus stop at the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver, the mother and son were hit by a bus when witnesses say it hopped the curb. De Oliveira Schramm suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized in critical condition. Police say another woman was hit and hospitalized in stable condition. Leonardo was killed. Now, friends of the family have set up an online fundraiser to support the couple in the tragedy's aftermath. "My heart is broken for him [Machado], and for everybody in this tragedy," said AJ Caridi, a friend and colleague of the four-year-old's father, who describes the dad as "the kindest, most giving soul on the planet." Caridi runs a pizza restaurant in East Vancouver, where Machado has worked for more than four years — since around the time Leonardo was born. The young boy is described in the online fundraiser as the couple's "one-per-cent miracle baby." Caridi said Machado was ecstatic about having his son. "He was a great dad. Worked two to three jobs to support his family," Caridi said. "I would be angry. [Machado]'s not angry. And look at that little boy's face, it's glowing, it's beautiful. And that's a testament to his parents." Machado and de Oliveira Schramm moved to Vancouver from Brazil. Since then, Machado has worked multiple jobs to allow de Oliveira Schramm to spend more time with Leonardo, according to Theresa Morrison, who co-owns the pizza restaurant. Morrison told CBC News that de Oliveira Schramm remains in intensive care. Though Machado asked not to be interviewed, Morrison said the father wanted to relay that "there isn't a blame game right now." "He's a man of very deep faith," Machado said. "The way he put it was, sometimes the tragedy wins, and sometimes you're able to succeed by taking lessons from the tragedy and learning from that." WATCH | Police investigate bus crash at Horsehoe Bay ferry terminal: 4-year-old dead, 2 women injured in bus crash near West Van ferry terminal: police 4 days ago Duration 1:59 The crash happened around 3:30 p.m. PT last Wednesday, May 28, when West Vancouver police say they received reports of pedestrians being "pinned under a bus." At that time, police said two women were hospitalized and a boy was pronounced dead at the scene. Sgt. Chris Bigland with the West Vancouver Police Department said a criminal offence has not been ruled out, although speed is not considered a factor in the incident. Police also said they interviewed the driver of the bus, who is a TransLink employee. The bus was seized for a mechanical inspection. TransLink CEO Kein Quinn said the transit authority was heartbroken by the "tragic" event, and that they're supporting police with the investigation. Meanwhile, Morrison and Caridi said the fundraiser will go toward supporting the family — with funeral costs, relatives flying in from Brazil to say their goodbyes, and de Oliveira Schramm's recovery. "I think they need what everybody in this community has been giving, which is love and care," said Caridi.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Horse racing tips: Red-hot trainer saddles 33-1 outsider with a massive chance of bashing the bookies
SUN Racing's picks for Saturday are below. Back a horse simply by clicking their odds. LONGSHOT PELLITORY (1.30 Goodwood) Was disappointing in Listed company at Newmarket but had impressed in winning a conditions race at the same venue before that. He has lots of weight to carry but a 7lb claimer reduces the load and he is well thought of by his in-form trainer. EACH-WAY THIEF BOWEN ISLAND (1.50 Haydock) Was a comfortable winner back in a handicap at Beverley and is only 2lb higher as he bids to continue his progress. Ran well behind Rumstar last time and is becoming a consistent force in these types of sprints. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
CBC
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Premier Eby meets with Gibsons, Bowen Island mayors over B.C. Ferries frustrations
Premier David Eby met with the mayors of Gibsons and Bowen Island after the municipalities raised the alarm about what they say is a lack of service, communication and accountability from B.C. Ferries. Gibsons Mayor Silas White says the premier reassured them the province is aware of the problem.
CBC
07-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Coastal mayors call on province to intervene amid ongoing B.C. Ferries disruptions
Social Sharing Anyone who takes B.C. Ferries regularly knows, at this point, that long weekend travel may not go as planned when using the ferry service. Vessels break down, sailings are delayed or cancelled, and long wait times are often the result— in some cases, even if you've booked a reservation. Two round-trip sailings from the Lower Mainland to the Sunshine Coast were cancelled over the Easter weekend after a vessel was brought in by tugboat due to a mechanical failure. "It's left residents and visitors to the island waiting hours to get on a ferry," Silas White, the mayor of Gibsons, B.C., told CBC's The Early Edition host Stephen Quinn. "Also, surprise cancellations ... leave visitors on the island stranded. And then folks on the mainland, whether it's our students or people that are at medical appointments or commuters stuck on the mainland are unable to get home." The years of unpredictability have prompted the mayors of Gibsons and Bowen Island, two coastal communities that rely on B.C. Ferries, to pen a letter to the province calling for action and accountability to ensure smooth sailing on critical routes. WATCH | Vessels out of service Easter weekend: B.C. Ferries says two ships out of commission for long weekend 20 days ago Duration 1:27 White said one of the biggest challenges is that there are a lot of entities that manage ferry service, and they often point fingers at one another. "If we have a major concern, whether it be missing an entire supplemental boat on a long weekend like we just had, or if we have just simply a minor concern like confusing signage or communications … there's no accountability," White said. First, there's the private company of B.C. Ferries itself, with a board of directors which oversees its operations. It also has a CEO, who "provides leadership and strategic direction." Then, there's the B.C. Ferry Authority, an independent, no-share capital corporation established and governed by the Coastal Ferry Act, responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of BC. Ferries in support of the public interest." Next, the B.C. Ferry Commission is the independent regulator of B.C. Ferries. Its job is to hold ferry service providers accountable for things like wage fares, capital projects and adhering to service contracts with the province. And finally, the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Transit is responsible for the transportation system across B.C. Confused yet? CBC News requested comment from each of the above entities. The ferry authority did not respond. The communications representative for the ferry commissioner said, "It is up to the government whether they want to include Commissioner [Eva] Hage in any discussions." In an emailed statement to CBC News, the ministry said it remains at "arms-length" from B.C. Ferries because it is a privately owned company. "It is our expectation that B.C. Ferries provides a reliable service that meets the needs of the communities they serve," the ministry said. B.C. Ferries efforts In an emailed statement to CBC News, a B.C. Ferries spokesperson said the company has been in touch with Leonard and White and plans to work on making the service more reliable. While cancellations and delays happen, the ferry service often points to its aging fleet as the reason for disruptions. Some of the ships are decades old. "The reality today is that we do not have enough spare vessels in the fleet to step in when something goes wrong, particularly during peak travel periods, so a single breakdown can ripple across multiple routes," the spokesperson said. WATCH | B.C. Ferries community feedback process goes digital: B.C. Ferries to replace community feedback process with digital model 5 months ago Duration 1:44 B.C. Ferries says a survey of 5,000 customers found more than 81 per cent would prefer engaging with the ferry operator digitally as opposed to the current method of advisory committees. But Diana Mumford, chair of the southern Sunshine Coast ferry advisory committee, says the digital model would exclude ferry users who are not online. B.C. Ferries has promised new vessels, although the commissioner only approved four of the five it requested. It announced upgrades at the Horseshoe Bay terminal, which serves people going to and from Bowen Island. In the long run, this is expected to help with passenger experience, but in the meantime, passengers are being told to expect construction on the terminal for "several years." The ferry service has also increased the number of walk-on passengers for select sailings to Snug Cove on Bowen Island to "help ease demand during peak periods, keep foot traffic flowing more smoothly through the terminal, and provide greater flexibility for customers." Bowen Island mayor Andrew Leonard isn't convinced it will help. "Even if passenger capacity increases, how meaningful is that if the ferries are running an hour to 90 minutes behind," he said. "If the underlying service is unreliable, not operating on schedule, and we're dealing with cancellations, I wonder how much of a benefit that's going to be." WATCH | Bowen Island residents demand answers from B.C. Ferries: Boaters demand answers after Bowen Island Ferry hits moored ships 3 months ago Duration 2:06 An investigation has been launched after the B.C. Ferries' vessel Queen of Capilano collided with moored boats at a private dock on Bowen Island on Sunday morning. As Belle Puri reports, the owner of one of the damaged boats fears it may never sail again. The letter, dated April 25, had not received a response as of May 6. The letter requests a written response by May 31. With the May long weekend just 10 days away, Leonard said municipalities are anxious. "We are anticipating some chaos."
