The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died while working at a forestry operation in Crofton on Dec. 9, 2014.

He was Perry Vernon Thomas, aged 66, of Qualicum Beach.

Mr. Thomas was employed as a truck driver and delivered a load of chips to the Catalyst Paper mill at Crofton at about 5 p.m. on Dec. 9. When other workers could not find him about one-half hour later, they reported him missing. Emergency services were notified, and a search operation was launched. Mr. Thomas was recovered from one of the chip silos at the mill in the early morning hours of Dec. 11, but he could not be resuscitated. The silo is linked to the area where Mr. Thomas was to dump the chips by a conveyor belt more than 300 metres long.

The BC Coroners Service, RCMP and WorkSafeBC are continuing to investigate this death.

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

For further information, please contact:

Barb McLintock
Coroner, Strategic Programs
BC Coroners Service
250 356-9253