Ontario TV station mourns loss following newsroom emergency

A local Canadian TV station is mourning the tragic loss of a colleague following a medical emergency that occurred in the newsroom.

At 6:09 p.m. on Friday, October 4, CHCH News announced on social media that there would be no evening news due to "a medical emergency in the newsroom."

There will be no Evening News tonight (Oct. 4) at 6 p.m. or 11 p.m. or Trending Now at 7 p.m. due to a medical emergency in the newsroom. Thank you for your understanding.

— CHCH News (@CHCHNews) October 4, 2024

Later that evening, CHCH TV shared a clip on its Facebook page in which Greg O'Brien, CHCH's news director, announced the loss of "a beloved friend who is one of our most amazing and talented behind-the-scenes colleagues."

"I can tell you it's been a painful day unlike any other," he stated. "We are all heartbroken. This loss is the reason you didn't have your usual news programming earlier today. However, we've made the difficult decision to air the work our local journalists have done for you tonight at eleven."

O'Brien added that what would follow was an "abbreviated newscast."

Messages of condolence poured in on social media, with commenters commending the news station for their response to the tragedy.

One commenter stated, "Thank you for showing your empathy for a colleague by not producing the news and giving everyone the time they need to heal without having to go on and do the news."

Another wrote, "This was one of the most compassionate responses by a corporation I have ever heard of. Thoughts go out to all affected; may you find comfort in each other."

"I love the fact that family comes first with CH TV," stated another commenter.

CHCH-TV is a Hamilton, Ontario-based news station that started broadcasting in 1954 and produces 24 hours of local news programming for the Halton and Niagara regions.

We have reached out for more information.