Hamlets, Interior Health investigating accidental death of resident

The operator of the Hamlets in Westsyde is co-operating fully with the Interior Health Authority to investigate how a 55-year-old resident suffered a fatal fall down a stairwell while in his wheelchair, a company spokesman said Friday.

Timothy Pyett, 55, was found at the bottom of a stairwell Jan. 20.

The Hamlets is operated by H&H Total Care Services in Surrey.

“Today is a very sad day for residents, staff and management at Westsyde,” chief operating officer Hendrik Van Ryk said. In a media statement, he said safety is the number one priority of residents and their families.

“We strongly advocate that all of British Columbia’s seniors are entitled to the safest, highest quality care and homes that we can provide.”

It said the company is working with the Interior Health Authority on the investigation and seeking ways to prevent such accidents occurring again.

Pyett, a long-time Kamloops resident, had been involved in minor sports for much of his life.