Sheilah Sweatman

The British Columbia Coroners Service has announced that the inquest into the death of Sheilah Sweatman will take place during the week of November 19, 2012 in Nelson, BC.  We are counsel for Sheilah’s family and expect to participate at the coroner’s inquest, where other lawyers will be representing the coroner, Worksafe BC, Emergency Management BC and Search and Rescue groups.  Sheilah, 29, was a volunteer member of the Nelson SAR team when she lost her life in the Goat River on June 29, 2011 while attempting to recover a vehicle from the swift water.  The fatal incident was filmed for a reality television series titled “CALLOUT: Search and Rescue” and the video, which was never televised, will likely form part of the evidence to be considered by the jury.

An inquest is a fact-finding hearing conducted by a coroner and a five member lay jury.  The jury may make recommendations designed to prevent similar deaths from recurring.