Construction worker falls into hole, breaks leg at Langley arena

A construction worker was rescued after falling into a hole at the site of new arenas in Langley on Monday, March 2.

Firefighters extracted an injured construction worker who fell down a ventilation shaft at the Langley Events Centre Monday.

The Township of Langley Fire Department was called to the construction site of new ice and dry floor arenas, located at 7888 200 St., at 8:12 a.m., according to the municipality.

The man was extricated from a “confined space” at the site and transported to hospital, the township said.

“Our thoughts are with the person who was injured today, and their family,” a spokesperson wrote.

The worker suffered a fractured leg, according to Mayor Eric Woodward, who said the individual was “conscious and communicative” during the rescue, which took under an hour.

“This once again highlights the great work of our first responders, and the value of the technical training and equipment needed to address so many unique situations such as this one at a moment’s notice,” Woodward wrote in a social media statement. “Thanks to all that completed a successful rescue that could have been much worse.”

The construction company Lark Group says it is conducting a “full internal review” of the incident.

“Maintaining the highest standards of safety remains our top priority, and we will continue to reinforce and strengthen our safety practices across all projects,” the developer wrote in a statement.