Operator was able to escape to safety
One truck was submerged in water following an unexpected shoreline collapse at a fish habitat restoration project in British Columbia.
In a Facebook post, Roc-Star Enterprises said the incident happened on Aug. 26, 2025.
“The incident occurred while heavy equipment was operating near the shoreline, resulting in the submersion of a truck,” the company said.
The company also shared the video of the incident in the same Facebook post.
According to Roc-Star, the equipment operator, who is also an experienced swimmer, was able to exit the vehicle and swim to safety without injury. The company credited the operator’s training and composure for preventing a more severe outcome.
“This event underscores the critical importance of continuous risk assessment in dynamic environments, particularly when working in or near water,” said the company.
The company is working closely with relevant agencies and has initiated a full investigation to determine the contributing factors and prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We believe this incident serves as a powerful reminder of the unpredictable nature of shoreline work and the need for ongoing vigilance, planning, and safety training across all levels of heavy industry. We are sharing this incident to raise awareness and support safer practises industry-wide,” said Roc-Star.
Working in coastal environments can be very challenging, said Enda Murphy, an assistant professor in coastal engineering at the University of British Columbia, in a CBC report.
"Sediments that have been moved relatively recently by things like waves and currents ... are not as stable inherently. They're quite loosely packed, and because they're on the coast, of course there's high moisture content or saturation," he said.
"Heavily loading them like we saw in that video can lead to instability, and in that case, I guess, complete slope failure."
File photo from Roc-Star Enterprises' Facebook page
