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UPDATE: Worker dies from fall at new Fortis building construction site

Firefighters examine the scene near the body of a worker who died after an 80-foot fall at the Fortis construction site in St. John's. — Photo by Keith Gosse/The Telegram

Firefighters examine the scene near the body of a worker who died after an 80-foot fall at the Fortis construction site in St. John's. — Photo by Keith Gosse/The Telegram

Published on October 25, 2012
Published on October 25, 2012
Topics :
Fortis Building , Springdale Street

Police investigators are still on the scene of an industrial accident in downtown St. John’s where a construction worker died following an 80-foot fall.

It appears the worker fell from the top of the new Fortis Place building at the corner of Springdale and New Gower streets.

An ambulance had arrived at the scene, but left shortly afterwards.

Members of St. John’s Regional Fire Department secured the area around the body, which was covered by a green tarp on the concrete floor at the bottom of the building. Six storeys up a break in a wooden railing going around the edge of the building could be seen, and was being examined by police investigators.

Other workers huddled at the edge of the construction site while the RNC and fire department personnel investigated the scene.

St. John’s Regional Fire Department superintendent Don Byrne did not confirm the fatality to members of the media, but said there had been a serious industrial accident that was under investigation.

•••

Police, firefighters and emergency crews are on the scene of a fatal workplace accident at the construction site of the new Fortis Building on Springdale Street in St. John’s.

A worker appears to have fallen six storeys to a concrete floor. A wooden railing appears to have given way on the sixth storey.

It’s windy and raining at the construction site.

More coverage in Friday's Telegram.

 

Comments

  • Username
    Anon
    - October 29, 2012 at 20:19:20

    I can't believe they posted that picture! The last thing I wanted to see of a friend. Shameless media.

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  • Username
    cathy
    - October 26, 2012 at 13:00:17

    if construction companys can spend millions on buildings they can spend thousands on netting ....we have seen too much of this in trades...head bosses push to hard and these kind of accidents happen...push to get the job done with no regard for human life...god bless the poor family

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  • Username
    Shardar
    - October 26, 2012 at 12:52:18

    So terribly sad and heart-wrenching. Safety is about every worker returning home after a day/shift's work. I worked for a company where there was 2 accidents (not having the same result as this). I was told by management that if I told the truth with respect to the investigations, he would fire the workers involved. I asked him to fire me...he did. Again, my condolences to the family and co-workers of this man...

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  • Username
    Trev
    - October 26, 2012 at 10:00:04

    He wasn't required to be tied off because there was a handrail there. The problem is, those rickety wooden handrails are obviously inadequate. They should be banned from all sites and proper scaffold rails should be used, otherwise 100% tie off should be mandatory. Those homemade wooden handrails are rated for 200 lbs. most men are 250, not to mention if they stumble or fall into one there is probably upwards of 400-500 pounds of force put on it. Fall arrest requires your anchor point to be 5000 pounds. Why is it that we can rely on a rickety handrail rated for 200 to prevent a fall?

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  • Username
    Todd
    - October 26, 2012 at 07:38:46

    My heartfelt condolances to the family of the worker involved in the incident. It is a sad day in the province.

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  • Username
    Christine
    - October 25, 2012 at 22:42:15

    God bless. May you, the family and friends, all be comforted during this tragic event.

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  • Username
    Jo
    - October 25, 2012 at 21:46:30

    So sad. No one should have been working outside at such heights in this wind and rain.

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  • Username
    Cherry Hill
    - October 25, 2012 at 20:39:28

    Such a sad story.... My condolences to the family of this worker.... I raise the question of why wood was used as a handrail/guardrail???? I have worked on many construction sites over the years as a tradesman.... I know in Alberta you would never see wood used... Always scaffold for handrails/guardrails at such heights.... My prayers are with the family RIP

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  • Username
    anon
    - October 25, 2012 at 19:47:35

    My condolences go out to the family & friends of this person. To the Telegram - Is it necessary to print a picture and comment on the picture of the person?

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    • Username
      Anonymous
      - October 26, 2012 at 13:27:55

      I appreciate and respect this comment. As a family member of the deceased it was not the last memory photographed of such an amazing person in our lives that we wanted to see. Thoughts and prayers for all the family are received with appreciation.

  • Username
    Anette Power
    - October 25, 2012 at 18:31:26

    Heartbreaking. I'm in the construction industry. Too many men resist being tied on. I don't know if that issue applies here and I sure as hell hope it doesn't. So sad. I understand how being tied on is so cumbersome and slows results, but... My deepest condolescences to his loved ones.

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  • Username
    Mike K
    - October 25, 2012 at 18:10:59

    Terrible tragedy. In this day and age, no one should ever die at work. I'd be willing to wager that after the investigation is complete, we will see that a comprehensive fall protection plan was not implemented at this site. Condolences to the family of this worker.

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  • Username
    tom
    - October 25, 2012 at 17:21:35

    The term is "Paramedics" not emergency workers.

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  • Username
    TJ
    - October 25, 2012 at 17:13:45

    That poor person and their family!

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