Workers mill about in the RUH parkade following reports of an industrial accident at construction site of the new children's hospital at Royal University Hospital, Thursday, July 21, 2016. At least one person was taken from the scene in an ambulance. Greg Pender / The StarPhoenix
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Published on: July 22, 2016 | Last Updated: July 22, 2016 1:43 PM CST
Graham Construction has called in grief counsellors in the aftermath of a workplace accident that killed a 21-year-old man in Saskatoon Thursday.
A man working at the construction site of the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan died Thursday in the late-afternoon after a steel construction lift fell on him.
“On behalf of everybody in the Saskatoon Health Region, I first want to extend my condolences to this young man’s family and friends for their loss,” says Dan Florizone, Saskatoon Health Region CEO.
“I also want to express my deep sympathy to his coworkers and all those who work on this site each day. We would like recognize those who responded to this tragedy, including our team in emergency, for their care. There are hundreds of people working to make this hospital a reality and this news has been devastating for everyone involved. This is a sad time for all of us.”
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Occupational Health and Safety is on site conducting an investigation Friday. The construction of the Children’s Hospital has stopped today while the investigation takes place.
Graham Construction, the general contractor for the project, released a statement offering condolences to the family of the man Thursday evening. The man was working for sub-contractor Banff Constructors Ltd.
“This is a real tragedy,” said Colin Anderson, a vice-president with Graham. “Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all those impacted by this terrible incident. We offer our deepest condolences and grief counsellors are available for those who may need help coping. This has also impacted his co-workers and all of us at Graham.”
Officials with the Saskatoon Fire Department said the call came in at 3:38 p.m. Details were limited on Thursday evening, but Battalion Chief Brent Hart said MD Ambulance staff conducted CPR on the man. Saskatoon police said the man was pronounced dead at hospital.
Saskatoon police later confirmed the 21-year-old was a Saskatoon resident. His identity was not released.
Hart said the fire department dispatched its heavy rescue unit and a fire pumper to the scene, as it was first believed the man was trapped under the lift.
“When we arrived MD (Ambulance) was already on scene and they were doing CPR on this patient,” he said. “Our personnel helped do CPR on the patient.”