An investigation into a death in Cedar is underway after a 62-year-old woman was struck and killed by a garbage truck.
The accident happened in the 1300 block of Ivor Road in Nanaimo’s Cedar By the Sea district shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The victim was hit by a waste collection truck operated by BFI Canada, a contractor to the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Solid Waste Services division.
“The driver (a 38-year-old male) was doing his route and for unknown reasons the truck rolled over the individual and she was pronounced dead at the scene,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
The accident scene was attended by the B.C. Coroners Service, a Ministry of Transport Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement inspector and RCMP traffic analysts.
“The investigation is in its early stages,” O’Brien said. “We have received a preliminary statement from the driver. There are no witnesses that we know of at this point, but members will be conducting door-to-door inquiries. It’s a tragic accident.”
The family has requested the victim’s name not be released.
In a press release from the RDN Wednesday, Solid Waste Services extended its sympathies to everyone affected by the tragedy.
Anyone with information is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
