Sweatman inquest begins Monday at Nelson Courthouse
By Nelson Daily Staff
The BC Coroners inquest into the tragic death of Sheilah Lorraine Sweatman begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Nelson Courthouse.
The inquest was originally scheduled to begin in June but was postponed to ensure availability of all required witnesses, including counsel for parties with standing.
Sweatman, 29, died while performing a recovery operation with the Swift Water Rescue division within the Nelson Search and Rescue unit, June 29, 2011, on the Goat River near Creston.
The Nelson Search and Rescue unit was called to carry out an examination of the vehicle to determine if there were any occupants in the submerged vehicle.
The vehicle, thought to that of a missing woman was located submerged in the Goat River just off Highway 21, south of Creston.
At about 4:15 p.m. during the course of their search efforts, utilizing swift water line equipment and a swift watercraft, Sweatman went overboard into the river and did not surface.
Presiding coroner Matt Brown and a jury will hear evidence from subpoenaed witnesses to determine the facts surrounding this death.
While the jury may not, by law, make any findings of legal responsibility, it will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances in the future.
An inquest is a formal process that allows for public presentation of evidence relating to a death.
The death of Sheilah Sweatman marked the first time in B.C. SAR history that one of the province’s volunteers was killed while in service.
On July 23, 2011, in Nelson more than 1,000 SARS, police and fire department members from throughout the province and northern United States attended a memorial to show support for Sweatman.
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