The entire fleet of an Abbotsford-based trucking company has been suspended after a helicopter that was being carried on one of its transport trucks narrowly missed hitting the Gilmore Avenue overpass in Burnaby.
The top of the helicopter struck a sign hanging from the overpass as the truck was travelling eastbound on Highway 1 Monday afternoon, according to a statement from the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation.
The overpass was not visibly damaged, it said.
“The driver had received an oversized permit, however the height exceeded what was stated on the permit,” said the ministry.
International Machine Transport Inc. has been issued an immediate suspension across their 20-vehicle fleet until an investigation is completed, according to the statement.
CBC contacted the company and was told “no comment.”
Initial reports had the helicopter on the truck hitting the Brunette Avenue overpass in Coquitlam, which was not the case, according to the ministry statement.
This is the 34th time a commercial vehicle has sparked an investigation for a bridge or overpass strike since the province started keeping track in December 2021.
It’s also the latest incident in a recent flurry of overpass hits and near-misses.