2.8°C Vancouver

Jun 23, 2021 8:53 PM -

Tubing accident survivor recalls clinging for her life

Share On
tubing-accident-survivor-recalls-clinging-for-her-life
One of four survivors of a deadly tubing accident said by the time her family saw the dam on the Dan River, it was too late. (File photo of a river in B.C.)

One of four survivors of a deadly tubing accident said by the time her family saw the dam on the Dan River, it was too late.

Irene Villano told news outlets they hadn't seen any signs warning of the 8-foot-high Duke Energy dam when they heard water rushing.

Villano says she was the last in the group of nine relatives to go over the dam.

Villano, her father, her older brother and cousin had their tubes around them and they clung to the dam for 20 hours and waited.

The next afternoon, a Duke Energy employee spotted them and called 911.

Duke Energy says there were two warning signs and the company added three more Tuesday.

Latest news

BCMar 20, 2026

Witness intervenes in Vancouver purse-snatching, suspect charged

A 41-year-old man has been charged after an alleged purse-snatching in Vancouver that left a 59-year-old woman with minor injuries, according to a police release. The incident occurred Wednesday shortly before 4 p.m. near West 8th Avenue and Spruce Street. Police say the woman, who was using a walker, was approached by a man who allegedly grabbed her purse, causing her to fall to the ground. A passing driver witnessed the incident, stopped, and pursued the suspect on foot. During the chase, the suspect allegedly threatened the witness with a knife before dropping the purse and fleeing the area
BCMar 20, 2026

Two men charged after alleged kidnapping in East Vancouver home invasion

Two men are facing kidnapping charges following a reported home invasion in East Vancouver বুধবার night, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police say a 911 call was received at approximately 9:15 p.m. reporting that a 62-year-old man had been taken from his home and forced into a vehicle. According to a VPD statement, the suspect vehicle was located about 30 minutes later near Slocan Street and East Broadway. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it did not pull over, prompting a police pursuit that ended near East 14th Avenue and Woodland Drive, where officers bo
driver-identified-after-truck-strikes-highway-1-overpass-in-langley-police-seek-witnesses
BCMar 20, 2026

Driver identified after truck strikes Highway 1 overpass in Langley; police seek witnesses

The driver of a commercial truck that struck a railway overpass on Highway 1 in Langley has come forward and is cooperating with investigators, according to BC Highway Patrol. Police say the collision occurred March 19 at about 2:52 p.m., when an eastbound white flatdeck truck carrying a crane boom hit the CP Rail overpass between Glover Road and 232 Street. The driver initially left the scene without speaking to officers but later contacted police. “The truck driver did not wait for police at the scene, which is the ideal, but subsequently reached out to police and is cooperating,” said C
richmond-rcmp-probe-suspected-organized-retail-meat-thefts-after-39-reported-cases
BCMar 20, 2026

Richmond RCMP probe suspected organized retail meat thefts after 39 reported cases

Police in Richmond, British Columbia, say they are investigating a series of meat thefts from retail stores that may be linked to organized criminal activity. According to a statement from the Richmond RCMP, officers have received 39 reports of meat being stolen from stores across the city since December. While some incidents may be opportunistic, police say the frequency and value of the thefts suggest “potential organized activity,” where stolen products could be resold. RCMP are warning the public not to purchase meat from unverified sources. Police say improperly handled or temperature
surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-near-bear-creek-park
BCMar 20, 2026

Surrey police investigate early morning shooting near Bear Creek Park

Surrey Police Service says officers are investigating a reported shooting near Bear Creek Park that left one man in hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, officers were called at about 6:00 a.m. to reports of shots fired in the area of the 13700 block of 88 Avenue. Police searched the park and nearby residential streets following the call. Police said hospital staff contacted officers at 6:30 a.m. to report that a man had arrived at emergency with a gunshot wound. The injury is not believed to be life-threatening, according to the releas

Related News