A moxy truck plunged into Nitinaht Lake after the shoreline collapsed beneath it during a fish habitat restoration project on August 26. The dramatic moment, captured on drone footage, showed the articulated vehicle tip into the water and sink. The driver escaped unharmed.
Roc-Star Enterprises Ltd., the company overseeing the work, said in a statement: “Thankfully the experienced operator was also an experienced swimmer and was able to exit the vehicle and swim to safety without injury. He handled the situation remarkably well.”
The company added that the collapse “underscores the critical importance of continuous risk assessment in dynamic environments, particularly when working in or near water,” and said it is conducting a full investigation while working with relevant agencies.
Safety Concerns Surrounding the Moxy truck in Shoreline Work
Several people who viewed the video online questioned the company’s safety standards, with some pointing out how close the heavy equipment had been to the water’s edge. The video, widely shared on social media, showed the shoreline giving way almost instantly, with no time for evasive action.
WorkSafeBC confirmed it was investigating and released a report dated Sept. 5.
“This employer had a articulating rock truck operating on a beach that could not support the weight of the truck,” the report states. “The soil became liquefied and the truck became unstable and rolled into the lake.”
WorkSafeBC said the incident contravened Occupational Health and Safety Regulation Section 4.1, which requires that a workplace be “planned, constructed, used and maintained to protect from danger any person working at the workplace.”
The agency has ordered Roc-Star to submit a notice of compliance report by Sept. 25, 2025.
Roc-Star said it shared the incident publicly to raise awareness across the industry. “We believe this incident serves as a powerful reminder of the unpredictable nature of shoreline work and the need for ongoing vigilance, planning and safety training across all levels of heavy industry,” the company stated.
The truck was later recovered from the lake. Roc-Star said no one was injured and the habitat restoration project is continuing under revised safety protocols.
