Police tape marks a crime scene in this file photo.JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
A security guard killed by a truck on the set of the Steven Spielberg-produced TV series Falling Skies has been identified by the BC Coroners Service.
Amrik Singh Gill, a 59-year-old resident of Delta, B.C., died of injuries suffered in the Monday-night accident.
He was working on the Burnaby set of the science-fiction series when an unattended five-ton truck rolled backwards with its tailgate down, and struck him.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the coroners service said Mr. Gill was rushed to hospital in New Westminster, but died shortly after he arrived there.
The BC Coroners Service, WorkSafeBC and the RCMP are investigating the accident, which happened in an industrial area of Burnaby.
The victim was a member of Local 155 of the Teamsters.
Anand Kanna, a spokesperson for the non-profit Actsafe organization that advocates for set safety in B.C.'s film and TV sector, says fatalities are extremely rare in the industry.
"I can't remember the last time something like this happened and I've been working in the industry for 18 years," he said in an interview.
In a statement, Actsafe said it was "deeply saddened" by the death and would await the outcome of WorkSafeBC's investigation in hopes it would help prevent similar incidents going forward.
Falling Skies, which is about the aftermath of an alien invasion that leaves the human race struggling for survival, had its debut in 2011 and work is underway on a fifth and final season. Mr. Spielberg is executive producer of the series which stars Noah Wyle of ER fame.
In a statement, Turner Entertainment Networks said the accident occurred as the production was preparing for a shoot Tuesday.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and on behalf of the producers and TNT, we wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the family of the security guard," the statement said.
Following the accident, production on the series was postponed. The studio says it will resume Thursday.
Ian Bailey