Logger killed by tree

Photo: BC Forest Safety Council

A faller has been killed in a work-related accident on the southern B.C. coast.

The BC Forest Safety Council says the fatal accident happened on Feb. 4 when a tree uphill from where the man was working uprooted and struck him.

He was working in the Woods Lagoon area.

"Our condolences go out to the family and co-workers of the deceased," says the statement. 

It's the first harvesting fatality of 2017. 

The BC Coroners Service and WorkSafeBC are investigating.

While the exact details of what happened are still under investigation, the safety council is warning other fallers to be aware that red and yellow cedars in rocky areas with shallow or wet soils are likely to be unstable.

"Weather conditions can cause significant changes in ground conditions. Heavy rainfall can reduce soil strength which causes landslides and tree instability. Frequent freeze and thaw cycles can create ground instability and rockfall," said the council.