Hundreds of family members, friends, and acquaintances gathered Tuesday afternoon at a funeral for the teacher who was killed Monday in a construction accident in downtown Montreal.

Saad Syed, 32, was walking to work next to a construction zone on Mountain St. near Rene Levesque Blvd. at 8:30 a.m. Monday when an excavator dropped a three-tonne steel plate.

The plate fell on Syed, and he was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead of his injuries.

His funeral took place at the Islamic Centre of Quebec e in Saint-Laurent on Tuesday afternoon, where he was remembered and mourned.

“He was a blessing to this community -- a role model,” said friend Assad Khan. “(He was) someone that we should really appreciate for the person that he was.”

His friends were shocked by his sudden death.

“For a second I wasn't sure who it really was until it clicked,” said friend Zohaib Ahmed. “From there on, just shock. For most of the day, all morning, it was very tough to take because of the way it happened.”

"He was a gentle soul," said friend Sameer Zuberi. "Saad was a nice person, always mild-mannered, mild-tempered. I think that spoke of Saad and his personality, his character."


Montreal language instructor

Syed was a DDO native who worked as an English teacher at the GEOS Language Academy and friends said he enjoyed his job.

"He was born and raised here, ended up doing an English Literature degree at Concordia" University, said Sameer Zuberi. "He was very happy the last time I saw him," Zuberi said.

The language school cademy issued a statement saying, "He's going to be greatly missed. We are all in shock. We all loved him."


Changes at construction site

Following Syed's death, a wooden fence was put up next to the sidewalk, with scaffolding overhead to protect pedestrians.

Workers said the measures were a direct response to Tuesday's deadly accident.

Inspectors from the workplace safety board (CSST), which remained on site Tuesday to ensure safety upgrades, said the sidewalk should have been closed off.

“When there's any risk for  site for pedestrians near or around a construction site, the danger must be eliminated,” said CSST spokesperson Daniel Legault.

The CSST confirmed Monday the chain used to carry the metal plate was not properly attached with a safety latch.

Pomerleau, the firm overseeing work on the construction site, said it is reviewing the methods of its subcontractors. If the CSST finds it responsible, it faces up to $60,000 in fines.

Meantime, Syed’s grieving loved ones say they hope at least some change will come from his untimely death.

“Life is very fragile, but there is a lesson for construction sites,” said family friend Araf Naek.