NFR Capt. Tom Krall peers over the edge of a steep embankment where a steamroller went over on Monday, Oct. 30. The driver and lone occupant managed to escape without serious injury. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

close call

Steamroller topples over steep Nanaimo embankment, operator not seriously hurt

Oct 30, 2023 | 2:47 PM

NANAIMO — An operator escaped serious injury after the large piece of construction equipment he was using tumbled down a steep drop-off.

Emergency crews were called to Albert St. on Monday, Oct, 30 around 1:15 p.m., after a steamroller went over an embankment on Albert St. and into the Cat Stream green space area.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue Capt. Tom Krall said on scene the operator and lone occupant ran into difficulty while coming down the hill of Albert St. toward Pine St.

“…then lost control, went over the curb here and in behind me about 40, 50 feet down the bank…very fortunate for everything involved here.”

Capt. Tom Krall said the steamroller was operating on this section of Albert St. when it hopped the curb and over the embankment. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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The steamroller operator was able to remove himself from the piece of equipment and make his way up to the construction site.

He was then taken to hospital for observation without any known injuries, Krall said.

“Thank goodness he was not trapped under that, that could have been a whole other scene…thankfully he got out under his own power.”

NFR members were initially dispatched to potentially execute a rope rescue.

Krall said according to witnesses the man was wearing his lap belt at the time.

Nanaimo RCMP took over the investigation, while WorkSafeBC would be notified, he stated.

“Our chief concern right now is environmental, we’ve got some booms and paddings down there to basically control a small amount of diesel that’s leaking.”

A small diesel leak resulted from a steamroller falling over an embankment on Albert St. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

A primary and sub-contractor working on behalf of the City of Nanaimo are currently assigned to the work on Albert St., Krall said.

Superficial damage to the curb resulted from the incident.

The stretch of road along Albert St. has been closed for some time due to ongoing construction work, as part of the Downtown-VIU bike network project and other pedestrian safety infrastructure in the area.

Work on Albert St. is considered a major priority for the City of Nanaimo for this year’s construction season.

Emergency responders assess the aftermath of a steamroller tumbling over Albert St. where ongoing roadway work is taking place. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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ian.homes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes