'I have never seen a danger like this': 1 dead, 2 seriously injured after pit collapses in North York
A worker has died, and two others are in the hospital with serious injuries after a pit collapsed on them in North York Wednesday afternoon.
It happened at around 5:25 p.m., in the area of Bayview Avenue and Ruddington Drive, just north of Finch Avenue East.
Police said they were fixing a sewer pipe at the time.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday night, Toronto Fire Platoon Chief Chris Rowland said the workers were inspecting water pipes and had inserted a camera inside their excavation, which had not been shored.
"So, the weight of the soil, a chunk of it rolled off the back of the hole and collapsed on top of one of the workers and trapped two of the other ones," Rowland said.
While crews had ladders, rope, and shovels to help with the rescue, Rowland said they had to dig by hand since most of the soil was directly on top of the workers.
"These guys were probably inside digging by hand for the better part of just over an hour to dig them out completely," Rowland said.
Crews were only able to extricate two workers.
While Rowland could not provide an update on the patients, he confirmed the two had been transported to the hospital. Police said they are currently recovering at the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
"In my 38 years, I have never seen a danger like this."
Police said the Ministry of Labour has taken over the investigation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns
Azerbaijan on Thursday observed a nationwide day of mourning for the victims of the plane crash that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured as speculation mounted about a possible cause of the disaster, with some experts saying that the airliner was damaged by Russian air defence fire.
Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who had been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year
It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops.
Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' dies after falling from moving vehicle
Hudson Meek, the 16-year-old actor who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' died last week after falling from a moving vehicle in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, according to CNN affiliate WVTM.
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea
Finnish authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables, police said, in the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure.
Police in New Brunswick investigating Christmas Eve sudden death
An unconscious individual was found in the 600-block area of Lancaster Avenue early Christmas Eve morning, and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Body found in wheel well of plane at Maui airport
A person was found dead in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight to Maui on Tuesday.
Plush toys recalled in Canada due to choking hazard
Health Canada announced a recall on a series of plush toys due to a choking hazard. Anyone who has purchased an elephant, giraffe, lion, tiger and/or panda plush toy with an attached baby can return them to the place of purchase for a refund.