More than 900 people attended a somber funeral Monday morning for Antonia Almeida, who died during an industrial accident while working for the Toronto Transit Commission last week.
The 38-year-old husband and father of two died when equipment on a work train he was driving made contact with the tunnel wall. The equipment snapped back, falling on Almeida and striking two other workers.
Hundreds of TTC workers, family members and supporters went to St. Anthony's Catholic Church in downtown Toronto for the funeral. An honour guard from the TTC also attended to pay respects to their fallen co-worker.
Almeida was described as a good friend by people who worked with him.
"Working on that crew you develop a bond," one of Almeida's co-workers said.
Almeida's wife Sonya and their two children attended the funeral, as did the two co-workers who were injured during last Monday morning's incident.
The two injured men arrived at the church in wheelchairs. They are expected to make full recoveries. One was overcome with grief as Almeida was placed in a hearse.
Mayor David Miller called Almeida's death a tragedy after the service.
"There was a wonderful turnout today to support his family, including many, many TTC staff and his fellow workers," Miller said.
At 11 a.m. subways, streetcars and busses rolled to a standstill as the entire transit service observed a moment of silence in memory of Almeida.
The last time the TTC stopped and honoured one of its own was in 1995 after TTC collector Dimitrija (Jimmy) Trajceski was murdered, the Toronto Star reports.
The last death at the TTC due to industrial accident occurred in 1982.
TTC officials say an investigation into last week's fatal accident is ongoing. The union which represents TTC employees said last week it will also investigate.
With a report from CTV's Roger Petersen
