As he walked behind a truck, a an oil and gas "swamper" tripped as the truck was backing up with a load and was killed when the vehicle drove over him, reports say.
The workplace accident occurred in June when a drilling rig was being moved to another site. With approximately ten loads remaining to transport off the site, a pole truck driver and his helper - or swamper -- were relocating a grated landing. A sling had been secured to each corner of the landing and it was raised off the ground with the winch. The load was not secured to the truck and lines were not used to control the suspended load.
The driver proceeded to move the landing in reverse at a walking speed. At some point in the move, the swamper entered into the danger zone at the back of the truck to stabilize and guide the suspended load. The man reportedly lost his balance and fell down directly in the path of the rear wheels of the truck. The accident happened so fast, that neither the driver nor the worker was able to avoid it. The rear passenger-side tires drive over the worker's legs and mid torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Neither the name of the deceased, nor the name of the driver, nor the company for which either man worked was released.
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