TTC worker dies after struck by train near Yorkdale

TORONTO, Ont. – The TTC is promising a full investigation after two of its workers were struck by a maintenance train near Yorkdale station, Friday, killing one of them.

The two men were hit at around 4:45 a.m. on an elevated portion of the tracks on the Spadina line, north of the Yorkdale Mall.

The TTC who died has been identified as Peter Pavlovski, 49. He was a subway track and tunnel foreman, and had been with the TTC since 1990.

In a statement, the TTC said it is “providing all the support and assistance available to Mr. Pavlovski’s family and co-workers at this very difficult time.”

“TTC CEO Andy Byford, on behalf of all TTC employees and TTC chair Karen Stintz, on behalf of her fellow commissioners, wish to express their sincere condolences to family, friends and co-workers of Mr. Pavlovski,” the statement read.

The TTC said a crew of seven workers, under Pavlovski’s supervision, was doing work on the northbound track when Pavlovski and another crew member were struck by a southbound work car.

The other employee received non-life-threatening injuries and is in hospital. A third worker who witnessed the accident was not hurt, but was taken to hospital with chest pains due to shock.

In a statement, Mayor Rob Ford conveyed his “sympathies to the family of Peter Pavlovski, who lost his life while on the job earlier this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the family of the second employee who was injured.”

“During this difficult time, I would like to commend the professionalism and dedication of our TTC workers who work hard every day to provide Toronto with reliable, safe public transit and who are continuing to operate the service despite the tragic loss of their friend and colleague,” Ford added.

“It’s the worst possible thing that can happen in transit,” Byford said at the scene. “We know that it can be a dangerous environment, but we have very strong safety regulations and a strong safety culture to protect people. So to have this happen is both shocking and tragic, and our thoughts are with the families today.”

Chair Karen Stintz also thanked passengers for their patience.

“A brief thanks to our passengers for their understanding. Service delays are always frustrating, there’s no question.” she said. “But on a day like today they were inevitable.”

Police, as well as TTC and Ministry of Labour investigators, are continuing to investigate.

“Our investigators will be fully cooperating with both the police and the Ministry Labour,” Byford said.

Byford said the investigation will determine whether it was human error or a problem with the system and all necessary steps will be taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

“We have a very good safety record, which makes this all the more shocking,” he said. “Quite simply, we’re devastated.”

Earlier in a statement, the TTC said: “Our thoughts are with our employees’ families and co-workers during this very difficult time.”

There was no subway service between Downsview and Lawrence West stations for about eight hours with shuttle are operating between the two stations.

Full service resumed on Yonge-University-Spadina line at around 1 p.m.