Explosion survivor passes

Photo: Red Cross

One of the last people to survive the Halifax Explosion has died at the age of 106.

An obituary for Gladys Hazel Forrest says she died at a care home in Halifax on Monday.

The notice says Forrest was born in Halifax on May 31, 1911, to William Henry (Harry) Hall and Elizabeth Annie Baskerville.

Six years later on Dec. 6, 1917, six-year-old Forrest was staying in her aunt's apartment in the city's north end when the Mont-Blanc exploded in the Halifax harbour.

Years later, Forrest said the powerful blast — which destroyed much of the city and killed thousands — tore off the side of the house and sent her jumping from the top floor down into her uncle's arms.

She was one of the oldest known survivors of the explosion and gained media attention as she grew older, being featured in books, news stories and TV interviews.

Forrest, who lived on her own until she was 105 and loved doing jigsaw puzzles and reading, is survived by many family members, including sons, granddaughters and great-grandchildren.