A 21-year-old worker died in a workplace accident near Trudeau Airport Friday morning when he was crushed by a 17-tonne tractor used for pulling airplanes.
The accident took place at the Swissport hanger at 1036 Albert-de-Niverville Blvd, located south of the runways.
The man was underneath changing a tire as the vehicle was hoisted by three hydraulic jacks, when the vehicle rolled and crushed him.
Four forklifts were brought in to lift the vehicle off the young man's body.
Fellow employees called 9-1-1 when the accident happened around 9:45 a.m. but emergency medical personnel were not able to help the victim.
The man, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The only thing our mechanics heard was someone yelling, they went outside and this young kid was under the tractor and the tractor had collapsed on him,” said Serge Larue of Swissport Ground Services.
Another onlooked bemoaned the helplessness of those in attendance.
“At one point you just realize that there's just nothing you can do,” said Pat Zilembo, an employee of American Airlines.
The victim was an employee of OK Tire Mede, an independent subsidiary of Surrey B.C.-based OK Tire. He had only been on the job for about four months but his partner on the job had 10 years experience.
OK Tire CEO George Sims was audibly shaken by the news.
The CSST has been asked to investigate the death and a report is expected to be issued in about six months.
The victim's identity is being kept confidential pending notification of family members.
-With a file from The Canadian Press
