A man and his forklift plunged off a barge into the frigid waters of Vancouver's Port while unloading material off a cruise ship last weekend.

The Canadian Press reported Curtis De Coste, who is in his early 20s, was knocked unconscious after suffering a head injury during the mid-morning accident.

Several people from nearby boats pulled the bleeding man from the water next to Ballantyne Pier.

De Coste was taken to Vancouver General Hospital's emergency room. The forklift sank.

A spokeswoman said the Workers' Compensation Board was investigating the accident.