Man loses leg in Fort Nelson accident

A Canadian National Railway employee has lost his leg in a workplace accident in Fort Nelson.

Fort Nelson RCMP say the incident occurred on Thursday just before 8 a.m. PT at the CN rail yard in the town.

They say 23 year-old Matthew Sheppard had been working around a rail car hooking up brake lines when he slipped on some ice. Then, they say, the train began to move and one of his legs got caught under one of the wheels.

Sheppard was originally transported by BC Ambulance to Fort Nelson General Hospital and then later airlifted to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton.

Police say his leg was badly crushed and had to be removed just below the thigh.

They say the investigation has now been turned over to Human Resources Development Canada, which will investigate if there were any safety violations that occurred at the site.

CN officials say the company is also investigating the incident and confirm that the employee had been performing regular work duties when the accident occurred.