Man who died in York U. drill rig collapse identified
Posted October 12, 2011 4:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The man killed in Tuesday’s drill rig collapse at York University has been identified as 24-year-old Stouffville resident Kyle Knox, CityNews has learned.
Family members confirmed to CityNews Knox died while excavating at a construction site near the campus’ business school. He became trapped in the wreckage after a 200,000-pound drill rig collapsed.
When paramedics arrived they determined he had no vital signs. He was declared dead not long after.
His body was extricated early Wednesday after an all-night recovery effort.
The incident is still under investigation by police and the Ministry of Labour.
“I loved him so much. He was the best person ever,” said Kyle’s sister, Hanna Knox. “He would just help you with everything.”
Friends and family describe Kyle as an energetic young man who loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and raced snowmobiles in the winter.
“Kyle was just an amazing person,” said friend Adam Love. “A great friend. To me he was like a brother.”
Knox was working as an apprentice for Anchor Shoring & Caissons Ltd. The company released a statement Wednesday.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our employee and above all else, our thoughts and condolences are with his family,” it said. “Our focus also continues to be on supporting all of our employees and their families during this difficult time.”
Friends say he had a passion for construction work and was on his way to becoming a licenced crane operator.
“He was about to get his ticket as a crane operator, he was about to write his exam, this week I think,” said Jane Love, his girlfriend’s mom. “And he was so happy for that.”
Kyle was in a committed relationship with his girlfriend of six years, Nicole.
Five other workers were injured in the incident that claimed his life.
One man was pinned for more than two hours before being freed by firefighters and paramedics. He suffered a broken leg.
A third suffered serious but non-life-threatening head injuries, while three others were treated for minor bumps and bruises.
Knox and the injured workers had been excavating the ground for the TTC’s Spadina subway line expansion.
Although there’s been no official word on the cause, some workers on the scene suggested the softness of the ground could have made the area unstable.
York University students are on reading week, but the few classes scheduled were back to normal on Wednesday. Some had been cancelled Tuesday after the accident.
TTC buses are diverting around the area.
