Family's Close Call: Scaffold Crumbles Near Car

A family from British Columbia experienced a terrifying close call on August 11 when a construction scaffold collapsed near their vehicle. Claire Johnstone was in the process of loading her young son into their car when the structure came crashing down, narrowly missing them. The incident occurred in the 1800 block of Hamilton Street. "It took me a second to realize that it was actually hitting the car," Johnstone recounted, describing the loud impact. She quickly urged her husband, who was driving, to move the vehicle away from the building. The family, including Johnstone's mother and partner, were understandably frantic during the terrifying moments. "I felt like a sitting duck," she stated, feeling powerless to protect her child. The family exited the vehicle once safely away to assess the situation. They observed two men who had been secured by safety harnesses near the railing. Pedestrians were alerted, and 911 was called. Police later confirmed the event as a "workplace accident," prompting an investigation by occupational health and safety officials. The family, however, had to proceed to the hospital, as they were initially on their way to have their son, Theo, checked. Tesla dashcam footage revealed debris, including a large brick and metal, impacting the car's glass roof and flattening the hood. Johnstone expressed profound shock and emotion seeing the near-miss, realizing the potential tragedy. The experience has haunted her, leading to sleepless nights. Despite the ordeal, she reflects on the near-miss with gratitude, cherishing her time with her son and feeling fortunate that everyone involved was unharmed, though two workers sustained injuries.