An industrial accident in the Upper Squamish Valley claimed the life of a Squamish heavy equipment operator this week.
Glen Richard Rustad, 66, was killed Tuesday (Oct. 25) near Mile 15 of the Squamish Valley Road. He was working on a property clearing project about one kilometre away from the access road to Butterfly Lake.
According to the RCMP, Rustad was operating a Caterpillar D8R bulldozer when the bulldozer went over an embankment just after 10 a.m.
"Rustad died on scene from injuries he received when the bulldozer went over the embankment," said Cpl. Dave Ritchie of the Squamish RCMP.
The bulldozer reportedly rolled over the operator and crushed him.
The B.C. Coroners Service and the Worker's Compensation Board are investigating the incident.
Coroner Brian Pothier said nobody witnessed the incident. Investigators don't know what happened to cause the bulldozer to go over the embankment. Pothier said no obvious cause could be determined.
A witness near the scene said Rustad was left on his own at the work site and when workers returned to the area they arrived too late to help Rustad.
The coroner told The Chief he could not discuss any other specific details but he did confirm the bulldozer came to rest on dry ground and did not tumble into a body of water.
Rustad was working near Pilchuk Creek in an area undergoing significant change.
A bridge over Pilchuk Creek is being upgraded by Terminal Forest Products as the logging company prepares to begin logging in the area.
As of The Chief's press deadline, details of a memorial service for the long-time Squamish resident were still [email protected]
