
UPDATE 6:55 p.m.
A fourth victim in Monday’s fatal crane collapse in Kelowna has been identified after a local church has launched a fundraiser to support his family.
Cailen Vilness was just 23 years old when he lost his life in the collapse, according to a GoFundMe page launched Tuesday evening.
“Cailen was a prince of a man, and our family is devastated by the loss of our beloved son, boyfriend, brother, nephew, and grandson. He lived life to the fullest and enjoyed spending as much time as possible with his family,” the fundraiser says.
Vilness leaves behind parents, siblings, other family and a girlfriend.
“Only 23, he had his whole life ahead of him and was getting ready to spend the rest of his life with the woman of his dreams. His absence has left an intelligible mark on those he left behind,” the fundraiser continues.
The fundraiser has been organized by the Living Faith Church with proceeds going to support the family’s costs of the funeral, lost wages, travel, and any other expenses.
You can donate to the GoFundMe for Vilness' family here.
A fundraiser for two brothers killed in the collapse, Eric and Patrick Stemmer, is here. It has already exceeded $50,000.
A GoFundMe for the family of Jared Zook was set up Monday evening and is here. It has now received $25,000 in donation.
All the workers who died in the collapse have now been identified through fundraisers.
There remains another man, presumed dead, whose body is still trapped in the rubble. He was working in an adjacent office building when the crane came down. His identity has not been made public.
UPDATE 11:40 a.m.
A second GoFundMe campaign has now been established for families of victims of Monday's crane collapse in downtown Kelowna.
The second campaign, set up Tuesday morning, is for the families of brothers Eric and Patrick Stemmer, whose family owned the crane.
"These men are husbands, fathers, sons, friends and chosen family to so many, this sudden loss is nothing short of heartbreaking," the campaign states.
"The lives of Katie (children: Oaklyn and Tillie, and baby on route) and Nakita (children: Henley and Hayden) will never be the same. So much has changed in such a short time span and these women are bravely tackling grief and figuring everything out as they go.
"We need to be there for them and support them in this time of tragedy and loss. Money doesn’t fix anything, however it can provide support and self care that these women are in need of."
Click here to donate.
A GoFundMe campaign for the family of Jared Zook was set up Monday evening.
Click here to donate to that campaign.
ORIGINAL 10:55 a.m.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist the family of one of the four victim's in Monday's crane collapse.
Jared Zook, 32, was a rigger on the crane that collapsed while it was being dismantled from the side of the Brooklyn on Bernard tower.
His cousin, Christa Walker set up the GoFundMe campaign late Monday night.
"The Goerzen/Zook family are fundraising for Pam and Steven Zook, who tragically lost their son, Jared Zook, in the crane collapse that occurred in Kelowna earlier today (Monday), July 12, 2021," the campaign states.
'We are looking to cover cost for funeral, lost wages, travel (as they live in Edmonton area), and any other unexpected expenses that may occur.
"Our family is devastated by the loss of our fun, kind and loving son/brother/friend/nephew/cousin.
"Our lives are infinitely better for having him be a part of them. We know Jesus is wrapping his arms tightly around him right now."
Zook also leaves behind his wife Michelle.
The campaign is looking to raise $20,000. Click here to donate.
According to his father, Zook had moved to Kelowna about two years ago to work on the downtown project.
He was working at becoming a crane operator.
Steven Zook said his son was identified as one of the victims late Monday.
There have been no details released about the identities of the other victims.
Portions of downtown Kelowna around the accident site remain evacuated.