City employee dies from injuries sustained in dump truck accident

Driver was buried under load of gravel

A city worker who was buried last week under a dump truck load of gravel and sand died Tuesday night.

“On behalf of city council I would like to express my deep condolences on the passing of the transportation services employee who was gravely injured on the job last week. Our thoughts are with the employee’s family and friends at this time and we respect that they have asked for their privacy,” Mayor Don Iveson said in a written statement.

“I would also like to convey our support to the colleagues of the employee. It is a very painful and difficult time for all involved.”

The 37-year-old driver, whose name was not released, was trying to unload his truck at the city’s northeast roadway maintenance yard, 13003 56th St., about 10:30 p.m. April 22.

When the back gate would not open, the man went to the rear of the tilted truck bed to check on it. The gate opened, unloading its contents on top of him, Occupational Health and Safety spokesman Brookes Merritt said.

The truck was full of dirt and debris from cleaning streets.

The man was found by a supervisor, who called paramedics. He was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in critical condition.

Edmonton police responded to the yard about 10:45 p.m. They were told a pin stuck in the truck’s tailgate prevented the contents from pouring out.

While trying to fix the pin, the tailgate suddenly opened, burying the driver, police said. Minutes later, staff discovered what happened and dug the man out by hand.

The man had been working in roadway maintenance for about five years.

Occupation Health and Safety is investigating.

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