Prominent North Cowichan council critic and one-time mayoral candidate (Rodney) Scott Baker died Saturday following an accident at his Chemainus farm.
B.C. Coroners Service spokeswoman Barb McLintock confirmed the 47-year-old鈥檚 death on Tuesday.
鈥淭his is still very preliminary as far as we鈥檙e concerned but it was reported to us on the weekend,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur coroner is investigating.鈥�
McLintock said that after an accident on the Chemainus acreage, Baker was airlifted to 91原创 General Hospital 鈥渂ut unfortunately he didn鈥檛 make it鈥�.
WorkSafeBC is investigating and spokeswoman Megan Johnston said the incident occurred at 3137 Henry Rd.
鈥淥ur preliminary understanding of the incident is that a worker was attempting to move a boom-supported elevating work platform [similar to a man-lift] from a flatbed trailer and it appears that the worker was struck by the mobile equipment,鈥� Johnston said.
An engineer has been added to the crew of investigators who will be looking at the equipment and circumstances surrounding the fatality.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really just the very early stages of the investigation,鈥� she said.
Baker lived in rural North Cowichan for more than 20 years after moving to the Island from Nova Scotia.聽
During that time, Baker started a number of businesses that operated on the Island, in the Okanagan and eastern Washington. They included aviation businesses as well as manufacturing, geothermal and agricultural companies.
Baker ran for mayor in 2011 on a mission to bring common sense back to the local government.
鈥淧eople who know me know that when I say I am going to do something, I do it. These aren鈥檛 empty words, but real commitments to everyone living in North Cowichan,鈥� he said during the campaign.
Ultimately, Jon Lefebure defeated both Baker and fellow mayoral candidate Tom Walker.
Walker was saddened to hear of Baker鈥檚 passing.
鈥淗e was bigger than life and it was a shame to hear he鈥檚 gone,鈥� Walker said.
Baker is survived by his partner and two children.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
