Peel St. restaurant victims identified as investigation continues
Published: Friday, July 17, 2009
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The Gazette
The identities of the victims of the tragedy on Peel St. Thursday night have been confirmed as Lea Guilbeault and her husband Hani Beitinjaneh. Montreal police said Peel St. will be blocked off between de Maisonneuve Boul. and Sherbrooke St. for at least most of Friday. Police, engineers and building experts will be conducting an investigation of the Mariott Hotel following the incident, in which a concrete slab fell off the building, killing Guilbealt, 33, and while she dined with her husband at the Mikasa Sushi Bar below.
Engineer Pierre Beaupré, who was on the scene Friday morning, said troublesome cracks are visible in other sections of the building and a thorough inspection is needed to ensure that this kind of incident doesn't occur again.
In an interview on LCN, Beaupré said he believes water infiltration could have corroded metal anchors attaching the concrete panel to the building, leading to the failure of the anchors. He also said other panels are showing signs of coming apart, something that is very worrisome.
The woman was apparently celebrating her birthday with her husband, who sustained serious injuries to his right hand. He is in stable condition at the Montreal General Hospital and is expected to be released later today. His family members were contacted, but said they weren't ready to speak to the media. The police would not say when they think Peel St. will be reopened.
Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay issues a statement expressing his condolences to the family of the victim, as well as promising a complete investigation into what happened.
