One person is dead following a forestry industry-related incident on northern Vancouver Island.
The Nootka Sound RCMP were called to the fatal incident around 6 a.m. Friday.
Details on what occurred are scarce as of Friday afternoon, but Western Forest Products says it can confirm that one person died at the Nesook dryland sort in Nootka Sound, located west of Gold River.
WFP suspended its harvesting operations Friday following the death, though the company notes that the Nesook dryland sort is used by multiple companies.
“While the information we have received so far indicates the contracting company was not working for Western at the time of the incident, the safety and security of our employees and contractors is our first priority and we have suspended all harvesting operations at this time,” said WFP in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and co-workers impacted by this tragic incident.”
WorkSafeBC says it was notified of a “serious workplace incident” on Friday and that it has launched an investigation.
It is unable to share details on the investigation while it is ongoing, though WorkSafe notes that in all of its investigations it tries to identify the cause of the incident, with the goal of preventing similar incidents from happening in the future.
CHEK News has reached out to the BC Coroners Service for further details.
SEE ALSO: Fatal Vancouver Island helicopter crash linked to undetected helicopter defect: TSB
Adam Chan
