-UPDATE- Roof of Algo Centre Mall Collapse

Coroner and OPP Conducting Death Investigation

ORILLIA, ON, June 28, 2012 /CNW/ - At the request of the Office of the Chief Coroner (OCC), members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) are conducting a death investigation following the roof collapse at the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake.

The death investigation being conducted pursuant to the Coroners Act to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. OPP and OCC will update the public on the progress of the investigation when appropriate. The OPP has established an information line for members of the public who believe they have information that would assist with this investigation.  The dedicated information line is: 1-855-677-4636 (1-855-OPP-INFO). DO NOT call 9-1-1 unless there is an emergency in progress.

The names of the two victims will be released once the Coroner's Office completes its identification and post-mortem examination process.

Members from the OPP East Algoma Detachment remain on scene and will continue to perform site security duties as long as required.  The public is asked to refrain from attending the site.

QUOTES

"This is a very tragic incident. Our sympathies go out to the families of victims who have lost their lives. Our people will continue to fully support the Coroner's Office to ultimately determine what happened and, possibly, how to prevent it from happening again."

- Commissioner Chris Lewis, Ontario Provincial Police.

"I am proud of OPP North East Region members, in particular from our East Algoma Detachment who responded to support our community in Elliot Lake during this tragedy, and for the support for our members expressed by the community."

- Chief Superintendent Joffre Dupuis, Commander, OPP North East Region

Media Contacts:

Provincial Constable Marc Despatie  
Media Relations    
Phone: [phone]    

Ms. Cheryl Mahyr
Office of the Chief Coroner, Ontario
Phone: [phone]