Jacqueline Perlin, Victoria Alarcon
Assistant News Editor, Features & Opinion Editor
EMS has successfully removed a trapped individual after a crane collapsed on campus early Tuesday afternoon.
According to police on scene, the man was trapped for an hour and a half under what appeared to be a second vehicle, but has now been transported to Sunnybrook Hospital.
“At this time, the party who was trapped in the crushed vehicle has been removed and transported to Sunnybrook Medical Centre,” says Sergeant Simon Fraser. “From our understanding, [the injuries] are not life threatening, but he is in very bad condition. That’s why an emergency run was made.”
At approximately 2:33pm, a large crane that was operating near the Schulich building had toppled over, landing on two other large pieces of construction apparatus. In total, six parties were injured after the crash and one was later pronounced dead.
“We have five patients and one deceased. A total of six parties were injured in this incident. Only two parties were trapped,” says Fraser, who confirmed that the victims were all construction workers on site.
Of the four non-severe injuries, all have been transported to hospital – one to Sunnybrook Hospital and three to York-Finch General Hospital. Injuries range from head injuries to a fractured femur.
Though there have been reports of a Diesel fuel spill occurring, Fraser has confirmed that one of the equipments that fell over had a small amount of Diesel fuel which poured out onto an area, but the spill has been contained and is not a threat to any workers or students.
An investigation is now underway to determine what may have caused the crane to topple over. Fraser has noted the investigation may go on for days, weeks and if not, months.
“At this time it is a Ministry of Labour scene, and the coroner is en route,” says Fraser.
The deceased construction worker’s name and age will not be released to the public until the family has been notified, say police.
Wallace Pidgeon, spokesperson for York, says that the incident does not fall within the realm of the university’s responsibility.
“It’s really the [TYSSE’s] responsibility,” explains Pidgeon, referring to the the York subway construction.
The Schulich building has been evacuated and will remained closed until further notice. TTC buses 107, 35E, 41, 60, 106, 108, 196 are being diverted to Keele Street near Pond Road.
