Workers say they warned Staples about sign before fatal accident
Posted October 29, 2012 7:52 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Workers in a west-end plaza say they warned Staples numerous times that their large sign would flap precariously in the wind, but they say the store did nothing about it.
Those allegations come a day after part of the large sign came loose in Sandy-fueled winds near Keele and St. Clair on Monday, killing a woman in her 50s who was struck in the head by the flying debris.
“I’ve gone to Staples every two or three months and told them, ‘Your sign is flapping in the wind.’ Everybody has told them,” said John, who works in the area.
A Staples spokesperson says the company is cooperating with police and that the sign in question was inspected last June as part of a regular sign maintenance program.
Nina Sampat, Director of Operations at Staples, says the company is looking into allegations that the sign has been flagged as a danger in the past.
“As part of our internal investigation we are definitely reaching out and looking at all of the history regarding this,” she told CityNews.
The victim, whose name was not released, was declared dead at the scene just after 7 p.m.
CityNews has learned that the woman was in the plaza buying batteries in preparation for the storm system when she was killed.
Toronto police Const. Victor Kwong told CityNews charges could be laid if there’s evidence of negligence, and they are asking any witnesses to come forward.
