A crew member aboard a freighter is in hospital after falling from a stairway on the outer deck of his ship at Port Alberni’s deep sea port terminal.
The accident happened at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Monday.
A crewman aboard the vessel was walking down a 15-foot flight of stairs on the outer deck when he slipped and fell eight to 10 feet onto the deck, Port Alberni Port Authority Harbour Master Steve Baxter said.
Harbour first aid officials initially treated the man, then called the Port Alberni Fire Department to assist in moving him from the ship to the dock.
A special procedure using a ‘man box’ hooked up to a crane was used to lower the man to the dock, Port Alberni Fire Chief Tim Pley said.
The man, who is from the Philippines, injured his back, and was transported to West Coast General Hospital via ambulance, Baxter said.
Weather conditions and a wet deck surface likely contributed to the man’s fall, Baxter said.
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