Troy Jeffery's death investigated by TSB

It's too early to determine a cause in the deathof fisherman Troy Jefferyin an industrial accident Friday on an oyster barge off Poplar Grove, P.E.I., says the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.

• Troy Jeffery, 46, identified as man killed in Poplar Grove industrial accident

Jeffery was the manager of Five Star Shellfish inEllerslie, P.E.I., a business he co-owned with his brothers Wyatt and Gordon since 2001.Jeffery died while working, and was pronounced dead at the scene Friday.

"There are no concrete factors atthis time," TSB investigator Terry Hiltz told CBC News.

The team continues to collect data, and Hiltzwarnedit could take several days, if not weeks, to conclude what happened.

If there was an immediate safety risk, Hiltz said the TSB would already havemade an announcement.

There will only be a TSB report on Jeffery's death if there is broader lesson for the industry to learn from it, he added.

'Do not find fault orlay blame'

"We do not find fault or lay blame. We will say something so industry operators can make changes to equipment etcetera of what is unsafe and be obligated to make it safer."

In his four years as a TSB investigator based out of Dartmouth. Hiltzsaidthis is the first accident he's investigated or heard of in the oyster industry in the Maritimes.

The incident is also being investigated by East Prince RCMP, P.E.I.'scoroner's office and provincial Occupational Health and Safety officials.

A cause of death is expected to be released once it is determined. But officials withthe RCMP and Workers Compensation Board of PEI said nothing would be released Monday.

'People have heavy hearts'

Jeffery was an intelligent man who moved the industry forwardbut never forgot where he came from, remembers Brenda Campbell, president of the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association.

Campbell knew Jeffery her whole life and described his passing as surreal.

"People have heavy hearts. He was greatly respected," she said.

Campbell represents fishermen in the wild oyster fishery. She said sometimes there is a divide between the wild oyster industry and the cultivatedoysterindustry Jeffery was a part of, but she said Jeffery thought there was room for both on P.E.I.

"He was good at bringing people together," said Campbell. "It's a huge loss to the entire industry."

'Knew the business side'

"He was a good spokesman for his product and for parts of the industry," saidRobert Pendergast, who knew Jeffery since childhood. Pendergastalsopurchasesoysters fromFive Star Shellfish.

Jeffery was "a guy with plenty of life, who liked to have a good laugh and he also knew the business side of things," added Pendergast.

Pendergast said he feels badly for the family and hopes Jeffery's two brothers can carry on the business.

Jeffery leaves a wife, four children and one grandchild.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the St. Simon and St. Jude Church in Tignish, P.E.I.