A Canadian National Rail conductor was killed Monday afternoon while working just outside of a rail yard in Prince Rupert, a union representing rail workers said.
Teamsters Canada said he was "fatally injured" while performing “switching operations” - essentially making up and marshalling trains and storing cars.
His name was not released but he had been working for CN since 2018, the union said.
He was the second CN Rail conductor to die on the job this month, the union noted. The other death occurred in Surrey on June 1 also while performing switching operations.
The Transportation Safety Board said it is looking into both incidents.
A total of twelve railroaders have died on the job in the past 2 1/2 years, the union said.
“This industry has suffered far too many preventable tragedies. We need to find new ways to focus on safety. Our union continues to work with employers, the federal government and other stakeholders in hopes of preventing future accidents and ultimately saving lives,” said Teamsters Canada Rail Conference president Lyndon Isaak. “In the meantime, we remind all our members to stay vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times while at work.”
CN Rail said the incident occurred on company property in Port Edward, just south of Prince Rupert.
"We want to offer our sincere condolences to the employee’s family and community in these tragic times," a company spokesperson said.
