Investigation is ongoing
A fatal incident at a forestry contractor's offices on Vancouver Island has claimed two lives, with police and coroners now investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The incident occurred at Hope Place near Chemainus early Friday morning. An employee at an adjacent business reported arriving shortly after 6 a.m. to find police and paramedics already on scene.
According to a witness who spoke with CTV News, he "saw police and paramedics already on scene, doing chest compressions on one patient."
The B.C. Coroners Service confirmed it is investigating the deaths, though officials declined to provide additional information at this time, according to the report.
Police—along with forensic investigation services—maintained a presence at the property throughout Friday afternoon. Two vehicles were towed from the scene as part of the investigation. By 3 p.m., most first responders had left the location.
Mosaic Forest Management, whose independent contractor was involved, suspended its regional forestry operations in response to the incident.
"Mosaic cares deeply about our contractor community," the company said, according to the CTV News report. "Out of respect for those affected, we have suspended our operations for today."
