Statement regarding Kimberly Lindbergh
11/2/21
Sustainable Ballard has provided the WA Department of Labor & Industries with security footage demonstrating that no one entered the Ballard Tool Library premises on Oct 14th when Kimberly Lindbergh allegedly suffered ultimately fatal injuries. The full security camera footage shows no activity on premises between the morning of Oct 10 and the afternoon of Oct 18. L&I has issued their preliminary closing report and inspection for Sustainable Ballard, Ballard Tool Library, Inspection 317966205. The case may be reopened if additional information is required.
Sustainable Ballard was not cited with any serious violations that could result in injuries beyond basic first aid. However, we will be implementing an Accident Prevention Program, providing safety training to all contractors and Tool Library volunteers, and holding monthly safety meetings as prescribed by the L & I closing report. We have begun to plan for the re-opening of the Tool Library by January 2022. If you would like to volunteer to help get the Tool Library back on its feet, we welcome your support. Please reach out to us at the manager@ballardtoollibrary.org email to offer your help.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Kimberly’s family, friends and loved ones and wish them all the best in the coping with this incredible loss and its aftermath. Kimberly’s passing is a devastating loss for all concerned.
If you knew Kimberly, you may want to plant a tree in her name or leave a memory on her tribute wall at: https://mccombwagner.com/tribute/details/4161/Kimberly-Lindbergh/obituary.html
10/28/21
We are posting this information about the death of Kimberly Lindbergh, our Tool Library Manager, and will provide updates via our website (sustainableballard.org) and social media channels as we continue to gather information about the circumstances. We are suspending Ballard Tool Library operations while we assist in the Department of Labor and Industries investigation and determine next steps for the Ballard Tool Library that Kimberly loved dearly.
To date, we’ve been in communication with Kimberly’s partner and the Department of Labor and Industries as we try to fully understand the events and timeline leading to Kimberly’s death. It has been reported to Sustainable Ballard and the Department of Labor and Industries that Kimberly was involved in a workplace accident resulting in a head injury on October 14th. Kimberly was checked into Harborview Hospital on Oct 16th and passed away on Wednesday, October 20th .
Sustainable Ballard is fully cooperating with the Department of Labor and Industries investigators and we’re seeking to talk with anyone who communicated with Kimberly about donations, or to check tools in or out of the library during the week of Oct 11th to help determine her whereabouts leading up to and on the reported date of the accident.
Our condolences to Kimberly’s family, friends and loved ones. We knew her as a kind and generous woman, who was a fierce and dedicated advocate for Sustainable Ballard and the Tool Library. She will be missed enormously by those who worked alongside her, including the Sustainable Ballard Board and staff, Tool Library volunteers, other local Tool Library managers, as well as Tool Library patrons and the Ballard community as a whole. Kimberly was a valued member of Sustainable Ballard and made our community a better place.
Kimberly’s family requests that you plant a tree in her name or leave a memory on her tribute wall at: https://mccombwagner.com/tribute/details/4161/Kimberly-Lindbergh/obituary.html
Some initial media reports contained inaccuracies so we ask that you remain patient and avoid speculation at this time. Sustainable Ballard is balancing Kimberly’s right to privacy along with our desire to be transparent with the public. We will not be making any further statements until we have a better grasp of the timeline of events.