WorkSafeBC is investigating the collapse of the walkway onto a floating dock at one of Steveston’s most famous tourist attractions.
At about 2 p.m. on Sunday, the walkway leading down to Pajo’s fish ‘n’ chips suddenly cracked and buckled, with a reported four people on the ramp as it happened.
One of them is understood to have been taken to hospital with minor injuries, while the others were unhurt as it plunged about 15 feet into the harbour.
However, about 20 to 30 customers and staff on the dock were stranded and had to wait for almost an hour before emergency services provided a make-shift dock for them to get safely back to land.
Witnesses on the walkway reported hearing a cracking sound before it gave way and “free-fell” into the harbour.
BC Ambulance said paramedics arrived five minutes after they received the call, but they were unable to offer help, because there was no other way to get to the restaurant aside from the collapsed walkway.
Pajo’s has been operating in the harbour, at the corner of Bayview and Third Avenue, since 1985.
A spokesperson for WorkSafeBC told the Richmond News that “an inspection report is being written by a WorkSafeBC prevention field services officer.
“It will indicate if there were any violations of the Workers Compensation Act or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and if any orders will be issued.”
The News understands that Pajo’s owns the property which the walkway is situated on.
A statement sent to the News by Pajo’s said the restaurant will be closed until further notice and spoke of how “upsetting” the incident on Sunday was for the established company.
“During yesterday’s busy Sunday in Steveston, the ramp connecting Pajo’s Fish and Chips to the boardwalk collapsed.
“As a multi-generational family business with 32 years of history at our Richmond location, we have deep friendships in the Richmond community and consider our neighbourhood part of our family, making yesterday’s events even more upsetting.
“We are working with appropriate groups to determine the cause and will remain closed until further notice.
“Our thoughts are with those injured and we wish them a speedy recovery. We want to thank our staff, patrons, and local first responders for their quick response in assisting those who were on the ramp at the time.”
