Truck left in gear likely to blame for Kamloops mechanic’s death: Worksafe BC

KAMLOOPS — Worksafe BC has found a truck left in gear was the likely cause of a workplace accident that took the life of a young Kamloops father last fall.

On Thursday (Sept. 15), CFJC Today received the Worksafe BC Incident Investigation Report (IIR) into the October 15, 2021, incident that killed 34-year-old mechanic Wade Lieuwen.

The incident happened at Arrow River City Fibre on Mission Flats Road. Lieuwen, who was self-employed, was inspecting a damaged articulating loader when he became pinned between the loader and his work truck.

The report found Lieuwen had pulled his work truck close to the loader before exiting it to inspect the loader. Just seconds later, it rolled forward, pinning him.

Wade Lieuwen’s work truck (Image Credit: Worksafe BC)

Workers at Arrow discovered the situation moments later and began life-saving efforts, including calling 9-1-1, but the man succumbed to his injuries.

After inspecting the work truck and interviewing witnesses, Worksafe determined the truck was likely in a drive gear at the time of the accident, with the parking brake not applied.

It’s not known why the truck was still in gear.

According to a GoFundMe page set up for his family, Lieuwen left behind a wife and two young children. The GoFundMe has raised more than $92,000.

A diagram showing the position of the equipment involved in the fatal accident. (Image Credit: Worksafe BC)