A 40-year-old man has died following a tragic workplace incident at the Catalyst Pulp and Paper Mill in Crofton earlier today.
Just after noon on Wednesday, June 4th, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP were called to the mill after receiving a report that a piece of heavy machinery had fallen into the ocean with the operator still inside.
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Emergency responders from police, fire, and ambulance services rushed to the scene, with Canadian Coast Guard divers joining the effort in hopes of a rescue.
Despite the urgent response, the operator could not be revived.
“The BC Coroners Service and WorkSafeBC are conducting concurrent investigations into what led to this tragic outcome,” said Corporal Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for the BC RCMP.
The identity of the deceased has not been released. Police are asking anyone with information to contact North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522.
