Family and coworkers are in mourning after a man was killed when a chip pile gave way at a Nanaimo mill Friday morning.
The coroners service confirmed it was called to the Harmac Pacific pulp mill on Wave Place to investigate a workplace death.
The employee was reportedly operating a bulldozer on a chip pile at around 4 a.m. and when he exited the machine, the chips gave way.
He has been identified as 37-year-old Chris Fletcher, an employee with the mill for four years.
“You speak to any of his friends out here, any of the employees who knew him, they said he was always challenging himself and he loved the job,” said Harmac Pacific President Levi Sampson. “It’s just a tough time for all of us here.”
Sampson said he spoke with Fletcher’s mother after his death.
“Hardest thing I’ve had to do, but she just said she was so proud of her son and loved her son so much,” he said. “She said like most parents, you just don’t get to say it enough, and I think the basic message there was things can happen so fast in life and if there’s anyone you want to say anything to, you should.”
The mill will be shut down for 24 hours so employees can grieve, and flags on site were being flown at half-mast.
Nanaimo RCMP and Worksafe BC are also investigating the death.
