A business located on central Vancouver Island faced criticism following an incident where its articulated rock truck and driver plunged into Nitinaht Lake, situated approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Victoria. The event, which garnered attention through a viral video on social media, occurred during a fish habitat restoration project on August 26, 2025, as detailed in a Facebook post by Port Alberni-based Roc-Star Enterprises.
The video captures a large truck carrying logs near the shoreline, maneuvering parallel to the water before tumbling into the lake due to ground collapse. Fortunately, the skilled operator, who was also a proficient swimmer, managed to exit the vehicle and swim to safety unharmed. Roc-Star Enterprises emphasized the necessity of ongoing risk assessment in dynamic environments, especially in water-related work scenarios.
The company shared the video to promote industry-wide safety awareness and practices. Acknowledging the unpredictable nature of shoreline work, Roc-Star highlighted the importance of vigilance, planning, and safety training across heavy industry sectors. The video has garnered nearly 300,000 views on Facebook as of September 16.
Owner Bill Coates confirmed the authenticity of the video in an email on August 30, dispelling rumors of AI manipulation. He mentioned that an investigation into the incident was ongoing and refrained from further comments. WorkSafeBC is investigating the safety standards of the company following the incident, outlined in a report dated September 5, 2025.
According to the WorkSafeBC report, the incident occurred due to the truck operating on an unsuitable beach, leading to soil liquefaction and subsequent instability resulting in the truck rolling into the lake. Roc-Star Enterprises has been instructed to submit a compliance report by September 25, 2025, as per Occupational Health and Safety Regulation Section 4.1.
Enda Murphy, an assistant professor in Coastal Engineering at the University of British Columbia, highlighted the challenges of working in coastal environments. He emphasized the instability of recently moved sediments in such areas and the risks associated with heavy machinery operation in steep foreshore conditions. Murphy stressed the importance of interdisciplinary assessments in marine work environments to ensure safety, noting that no workplace is entirely hazard-free.
The specific precautions taken by Roc-Star Enterprises in this situation remain unclear.
