Coroners Service says 3 deaths in B.C. linked to cold
The fatalities — 2 in Cariboo-Chilcotin and 1 in upper Fraser Valley — remain under investigation
The B.C. Coroners Service says it's investigating two deaths in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region of the province and a 51-year-old woman in Chilliwack — both deaths may have been caused by the current cold weather.
"Those cases remain under investigation, and causes of death have not yet been confirmed," wrote coroner Barb McLintock in a written release.
The service has not provided any other details, such as the victims' ages or circumstances.
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Officials are urging residents to take care of themselves — and others — as several more days of sub-zero temperatures are forecast for much of the province.
"If you know your neighbours are elderly, take the time to give them a call or drop by, just to make sure they are coping," said Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe.
The B.C. Coroners Service says people are at risk at outdoors, but also indoors, if heating systems fail or are inadequate.
Legal society wants more shelters
While 500 more shelter spaces are open to the homeless than usual in Vancouver, DJ Larkin, a lawyer at Pivot legal society says more shelters need to be open throughout the region.
"Lives are at risk. Today. We are very, very worried that people will be lost because of the conditions. Even with the emergency shelters open and the emergency shelters on, there's not enough space for people and people need places to go that are in their communities," she said.
Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says while hypothermia can kill anyone, the elderly and people with mobility challenges are at greatest risk so friends and neighbours should look out for them.
With files from The Canadian Press