WorkSafe B.C. is investigating the death of a Duncan heavy equipment operator and truck driver.
Shane Pywell, 51, died on Aug. 16 after a workplace accident, according to an obituary. The accident happened in a rock truck on Aug. 14 near Lake Cowichan.
“He was surrounded by his family at Victoria General Hospital when he peacefully passed away,” reads the obituary.
The B.C. Coroners Service said it is in the early stages of its investigation into the death of a male in his early 50s from Duncan on Aug. 16.
“Our investigation will determine how, where, when and by what means he came to his death, including cause of death,” said the Coroners Service.
Family said they have been asked not to speak publicly about the accident or where Pywell worked until an investigation by WorkSafe B.C. is concluded, and said they may never want to make public the “horrific” details.
Pywell is survived by wife Cheryl Sked, daughters Kelsey Simmons, 32, Kisandra Pywell, 30 and Tekarra Pywell, 27, parents Barb and Merven Pywell, two brothers, nieces, nephews and a large extended family.
In a tribute to her father, Kisandra Pywell said: “You were a handsome, hard working, strong, independent, silly funny man who taught me never to be afraid of the outdoors or of being my own person. I give you my word I won’t ever forget that, or anything you did for us girls growing up, and everything wonderful that you were.”
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the H.W. Wallace cremation and burial centre in Duncan.
