TimberWest is confirming one of its contractor's drivers has died after a logging truck went off a road near Lake Cowichan and was submerged in water.
In a release company president and CEO Jeff Zweig expressed "deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues affected by the tragic accident", adding "a fatality within our forest community deeply impacts all of us."
The accident happened west of Caycuse, on South Shore Road near the Nixon Creek campground. An RCMP dive team attempted to recover the driver but were unable to locate him.
TimberWest said it has suspended operations in Honeymoon Bay out of respect for the deceased man and his family, and will be providing support for friends and coworkers.
Meantime, it's not known how much fuel spilled into the water, but spill pads are being used to absorb contamination. Island Health, First Nations Health Authority and Lake Cowichan First Nation have all been notified of the situation.