By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Dover Bay student badly injures leg after falling through grate

Jun 22, 2017 | 10:18 AM

NANAIMO — A Dover Bay Secondary School student has a serious leg injury after plunging roughly 20 feet through an open grate.

Malila Doolin, a friend of the grade eight boy who fell, told NanaimoNewsNOW it was a horrible accident which happened while playing with water guns. She said the grate, which is normally locked shut, was left open.

“He didn’t see it when he was running with the water gun. Since the grate was open, the chain was broken or something, he ran not knowing it was open and fell in.”

The grate covers a 20 foot shaft with a concrete bottom and is located beside the school’s tennis courts.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue assistant chief Martin Drakeley said the boy’s leg appeared to be fractured. Firefighters performed a rope rescue to hoist the boy from the ventilation shaft.  

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Dale Burgos, communications director with Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, said they’re investigating to find out why the grate, which is always locked, was open.

“This is definitely something out of the ordinary,” Burgos said.

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