Equipment belonging to Burns Lake Native Logging Ltd. (BLNL) suffered significant damage at the hands of vandals recently.
At approximately 8:12 a.m. on Oct. 31, 2011, the Burns Lake RCMP detachment received a report of mischief to emergency equipment on the North Ling Forest Service Rd.
According to Cst. Shane Coubrough, from the Burns Lake RCMP detachment, police investigation determined that sometime between 2:30 a.m. and 8:12 a.m., on Oct. 31, vandals caused significant damage to an emergency medical vehicle belonging to BLNL. The vehicle has subsequently been written off.
A processor was also damaged by the vandals who cut three hoses.
The estimated damage to the emergency vehicle and the processor is estimated at approximately $55,000.
Cst. Coubrough said the identity of the vandals has not yet been determined.
Police are asking anyone with information on this crime to contact the Burns Lake RCMP detachment at 250-692-7171 or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Burns Lake RCMP detachment are continuing to investigate this matter.
Wes Bohmer, operations manager of Burns Lake Native Logging Ltd. said the company is now forced to pay for another emergency vehicle, which will result in employees having to forgo a Christmas bonus this year. “Because of this the crew are also put in jeopardy working out in the bush,” he said, adding that until another vehicle is sourced the crew will have to take medivac flights in the event of an emergency. “It’s not good ... employee safety is a major concern. The crew is actually madder about this than I am,” he said.
