Worker crushed to death at Burnaby construction site

A worker is dead after an accident at an apartment construction site in the Edmonds neighbourhood in SouthBurnaby, according to the RCMP.

Cpl.Michael Kalanj, Burnaby RCMPMedia Relations Officer,said emergency crews were called to the 7100-block of 14thAvenueat 10:20 this morning.

According to a spokesman for developer Ledingham McCallister, the man was laying sewer and drainage pipe in a trench when thebucket of an excavator fellon top of him.The spokesman said the release was caused by a mechanical failure.

The site is operatedby Marcon Construction, which says excavation work was underway to run pipes beneath a civic road at the time of the incident.

"We are saddened by the tragedy related to our construction site in Burnaby and our primary concern is for this worker's family. We have offered our support to our trade partner for whom he worked. We will also be offering support to anyone who witnessed the accident," Marcon presidentMarcoPaolellasaid in a written statement.

"This company has its own safety protocols and procedures that govern their work, therefore we cannot speak on their behalf about their safety oversight."

He said Marcon has shut down all work on the site.The RCMP, B.C. Coroners Service and WorkSafeBC are investigating.

"Our trade partner is conducting its own investigation, and we have a shared goal to understand what happened to ensure every precaution is taken so this doesn't happen again," Paolella said.