Fatal fishing accident caused by hydraulic boom, says P.E.I. Workers Compensation Board

The unexpected dropping of a hydraulic boom was the cause of the accident that killed a P.E.I. man in a fishing accident earlier this month, says the Workers Compensation Board.

The June 19 accident is being investigated by the WCB's occupational health and safety division.

The boardsaid the man wasfishing lobsterout of North Lake, in northeastern P.E.I.

He was assisting another worker on the boat with tangled trap lines, the WCB said in an email to CBC News. He leaned over the port side of the boat, and while he was in that position the hydraulic boom he was working under rapidly and unexpectedlydescended and struck him.

"The hydraulic boom involved was positioned at the stern of the boat," the email said.

"To prevent further incidents, the boom was taken out of service and removed until a safer work process can be implemented."

The federal Transportation Safety Board said it will not be investigating. It has determined an investigation is unlikely to reveal new safety information.