By EMS1 Staff
FERNIE, B.C. — An off-duty paramedic was killed following an ammonia leak at an ice rink.
Huffington Post reported that Lloyd Smith, who began his career as a paramedic with BC Emergency Health Services in 1996, was a part-time paramedic working for the City of Fernie when the incident occurred. Smith was one of three city workers killed at the Fernie Memorial Arena.
An alarm went off at the arena Tuesday at 4 a.m., and two city workers and a specialist were called in to assess the problem; something went wrong when a 911 call was made at 1 p.m.
Fire Chief Ted Ruiter said crews, who found three bodies, had to leave the arena for safety reasons, according to the report. Responders were able to re-enter the building and recover the bodies later.
Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s wife, Laureen, tweeted that Smith was a childhood friend who taught her how to drive a Zamboni ice-clearing machine.
“He was a friend and mentor to many and will be sadly missed by all of those who worked with him,” Health Minister Adrian Dix and executive vice president of BC Emergency Health Services Linda Lupini said in a statement. “Lloyd’s impact on the community of Fernie will be felt by many.”
WorkSafeBC will launch their own investigation after RCMP officers finish theirs.
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