Bridge construction worker suffers severe electric shock on Vancouver Island

NORTH COWICHAN, B.C. – A man has been airlifted to hospital in Victoria with serious injuries after being hurt in a workplace accident on Vancouver Island, between Ladysmith and Duncan.

BC Ambulance Services spokeswoman Kelsie Carwithin says the incident happened just after 2 p.m. Tuesday.

She says the man was working on the Chemainus River Bridge replacement project and appears to have suffered injuries consistent with a severe electric shock.

Witnesses said a crane may have been involved, but few other details of the accident are available and Carwithin did not have an update on the man’s condition.

The $5-million bridge upgrade began Monday after delays caused by safety and engineering problems linked to the relocation of hydro poles near the bridge.

Work to replace the old, wooden bridge is expected to be complete by mid-October. (CKAY)

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