British Columbia

Arborist dies on the job at North Vancouver park worksite

An arborist has died on the job at Princess Park. Few details are available as the RCMP and WorksafeBC say the investigation is ongoing.

A man in his 30s has been killed in a workplace accident at Princess Park

A big tree with park of its bark scratched off.
North Vanouver's Princess Park. North Vancouver RCMP confirm an arborist in his 30s died while working in the park on Sept. 30. (Chad Pawson/CBC)

Police in North Vancouver, B.C., and WorkSafeBC are investigating the death of an arborist who died while working at a district park.

A man in his 30s died in a workplace accident in Princess Park just before noon on Sept. 30, police said, adding that the scene was secured as part of the investigation.

North Vancouver RCMP did not disclose the man's employer. They say criminality has not been ruled out.

The District of North Vancouver says Princess Park remains open to the public.

Police said they are working with WorkSafeBC and the B.C. Coroners service to investigate the accident.

In a statement, WorkSafeBC said it has launched an investigation "to identify the cause of the incident, including any contributing factors so that similar incidents can be prevented."

District Mayor Mike Little also issued a statement expressing his condolences and said the man was "performing important, essential work" in the community.

"Everyone deserves to return home safely at the end of the work day, but tragically, that wasn't the case for this person," said Little.

Little says he reached out to the company's owners to offer his sympathies and support. 

Few other details have been made available as the RCMP and WorksafeBC say the investigation is ongoing.