Seat Belt Failed, When Skidder Rolled

By 250 News

Helicopter hovers over site of fatal logging accident near 4900 Road  in Quesnel area July 19th ( photo courtesy West Fraser)  

West Fraser has released some more detailed information on the accident which claimed the life of a Quesnel area skidder operator, Holger Bauer,  on July 19^th.

According to the report, at approximately 9:15 am on July 19, 2007  Bauer  was the operator of a John Deere 648 grapple skidder and was skidding parallel to the contours on a slope of approximately 30-40%, when the machine became unstable and rolled.

Bauer may have been in the process of positioning the machine to retrieve bunched logs on the side slope. The machine then continued to roll at least three more times down a 65-70% slope before coming to rest approximately 300 feet down the hill.

Bauer was the principal of the contracting firm on site and was the prime contractor designated for this site. He had extensive experience, was familiar with the equipment and was known to be a competent machine operator.

The seatbelt in the machine sustained mechanical or chemical damage prior to this incident and was being worn at the time of the incident; however, the belt failed (ripped) at the point of the damage during the roll over.

The skidder was equipped with doors, which remained closed and Bauer was not ejected from the machine. The cab of the skidder sustained minimal damage.

 The accident is currently being investigated by the Coroner’s office and Worksafe BC. Further details will be available once the investigations are complete.

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