Greg Gerber posted on August 07, 2008 08:54
EDMONDTON, Alberta -- A 62-year-old American man died in an Edmonton hospital after he was crushed between a fifth-wheel trailer and his truck at a Camrose RV centre.
Richard McBee was delivering the trailer last Thursday to Tee Pee Trade & RV Centre for Rad Transport based out of Elkhart, Indiana.
As he disconnected the trailer from his vehicle, either the truck or trailer shifted and he was crushed between them, Camrose police say.
"The fifth wheel came down and pinned him between the trailer and the box of the truck," said Insp. Lee Foreman.
McBee, who police say was from Indiana, was transported to St. Mary's hospital in Camrose, but was later taken to Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital by STARS air ambulance with a skull fracture.
He died in the hospital Sunday.
Employees at local RV outlets say it's very rare - and difficult - to become pinned between a fifth wheel and truck because of the safety equipment in place.
"It's pretty difficult," said one worker who didn't want to be named. "I've heard of people crushing fingers between the fifth wheel and the box ... The only thing I can think of is if he unhooked the jacks (that support the trailer.)"
SOURCE: Edmonton Sun