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A garbage truck operator has died after he was struck by the truck he was driving in Scarborough on Tuesday morning, Toronto police say.
The incident happened at 8:34 a.m. in the area of Middleport Crescent and Pennyhill Drive, police said in a news release.
The 66-year-old driver was outside his truck on Middleport Crescent when the vehicle started to roll away and hit him, according to investigators.
The driver, who was working solo in the truck at the time, was pronounced dead at the scene, police say.
Speaking at an unrelated news conference Tuesday, Mayor Olivia Chow confirmed it was a city truck.
“My condolences to the driver and their family,” Chow said. “It is just devastating.”
A body could be seen under an orange tarp at the site of the incident Tuesday morning, behind a truck that had come to a stop against a pole on the sidewalk.
Police are investigating after a garbage truck operator was struck and killed by his own truck Tuesday. (Maxime Beauchemin/CBC)
Eddie Mariconda, president of the Toronto Civic Employees’ Union Local 416, said union officials were “deeply saddened” to hear of the man’s death.
“On behalf of Local 416 and all our members, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the worker who lost his life while on the job,” the statement reads.
“We have reached out to the family to offer our support. Our thoughts remain with the family, their loved ones, and all Solid Waste Management colleagues during this difficult time.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour said the agency has been notified about the death and an inspector has been assigned to investigate.
