The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a male who died following an industrial accident near Spallumcheen on Dec. 3, 2014.

He was John Elliot Sleypen, aged 50, of Kamloops.

Mr. Sleypen was a truck driver who had just delivered a load of heavy timber to the Rapid Span PreCast plant in the 1100-block of Industrial Drive in Spallumcheen near Vernon. As the timber was being unloaded at about 1:15 p.m., another worker found him trapped under a significant amount of timber. He was transported to Vernon Jubilee Hospital, but he could not be resuscitated.

The BC Coroners Service, Transport Canada and the RCMP continue to investigate this death.

The family of Mr. Sleypen has been notified of his death. On behalf of the family, the BC Coroners Service asks that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time.

For further information, please contact:

Larry Marzinzik
Regional Coroner, Interior Region
BC Coroners Service
250 861-7429