As 2024 comes to a close, Global BC has revealed its most-watched YouTube videos and shorts of the year, shedding light on British Columbia’s top stories that captivated audiences online. One sad incident reported was the discovery of a B.C. couple found dead in a lifeboat off the coast of Nova Scotia, ending their sailing journey in tragedy. In another story, an elderly driver in Abbotsford was charged after running down two teenagers during a prank, an event captured on surveillance. Also highlighted was the tale of Christenson Bailey, who has been residing in Stanley Park for over 30 years, living a self-sustaining life that now faces potential changes.
The destruction of the beloved “Hobo Hot Springs” in Harrison Hot Springs angered locals, with suspicions pointed at a nearby resort. Meanwhile, remarkable footage of a humpback whale feeding off the B.C. coast was captured when an underwater camera accidentally fell to the ocean floor. In a curious move, a Tim Hortons location in Vancouver removed its dining furniture, leaving only standing room due to theft concerns.
A heart-wrenching story involved a Langley family’s pursuit of justice after their pet was fatally attacked by another dog in a park, with the offending dog’s owner fleeing the scene. On a lighter note, a North Vancouver resident innovatively crafted a super-sized doggy door to accommodate a persistent local bear. In March, Richmond resident Hao Ping Chung became a multi-millionaire, winning $58 million but initially causing disbelief among his family. Lastly, a flight school dropout made headlines for refusing to vacate on-campus housing, leading to a legal battle by the institution.
Among the top YouTube Shorts, a bobcat and cougar were caught in a showdown atop a tree, while another short captured the efforts of a B.C. man installing a large doggy door for a bear. In a lighter note, a lonely donkey found solace with a yoga ball and new friends at an animal sanctuary. Other shorts featured dramatic moments, including the largest drug superlab bust in Canadian history, a plane struck by lightning post-takeoff, and a heroic rescue from a burning building.
