18-year-old man dies after becoming entangled in conveyor belt at planer mill

VERNON, B.C. – An 18-year-old worker has died at a planer mill in Lavington, B.C., east of Vernon.

Tolko Industries spokesman Rob Fraser says the teen was part of a cleanup crew and became entangled in a conveyor belt at about 2 a.m. Saturday.

Fraser could not provide further details but says about 20 other people were at the scene.

He says the young man was a casual part-time employee who started working at the lumber manufacturing facility in February or March.

Fraser says operations have been shut down while WorkSafeBC conducts its investigation and gives the go-ahead to restart.

The coroners service is also investigating the incident.