City of Toronto worker dead after being hit by garbage truck

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A 66-year-old City of Toronto worker collecting recycling and organics Tuesday in Scarborough’s Malvern neighbourhood was run over by his own vehicle and killed.

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Toronto Police were called to Middleport Cres., northwest of Sewells Rd. and Morningside Ave., on Tuesday at 8:35 a.m. after reports that “a garbage truck driver was struck by the truck he was operating,” Toronto Police said on social media.

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Police said in an afternoon news release that the operator of the truck was 66 years old and he was out of his vehicle when “it began to roll away and struck the operator.”

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and the Ministry of Labour was called in to investigate the incident, along with the Toronto Police forensic unit, traffic services and their collision reconstruction team.

Video shows operator chasing wayward vehicle

The yellow and blue recycling truck was wedged at the scene against a light standard on the boulevard area outside of a home on Middleport with the body of the deceased driver behind it under an orange blanket.

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A video obtained by the Toronto Sun from a neighbour’s doorbell cam shows the driver running behind the garbage truck as it is moving forward along the street in an attempt to catch up to it.

The driver gets to about the middle portion of the truck’s passenger side and slips on the boulevard at the bottom corner of the driveway before falling under the double rear wheels as the truck continues moving.

The woman said she didn’t initially know what happened until checking her doorbell camera afterward.

“I actually saw it after the police knocked on the door,” said the woman.

Neighbour ‘upset’ after reviewing dashcam footage

She said she was “saddened,” “upset” and didn’t want to comment further on the incident because of what she saw from the doorbell camera recording.

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At least 12 city workers were in the area wearing yellow high-visibility jackets — one with the words “fleet safety” written on the back.

City of Toronto communications, media relations and issues management director Russell Baker said in a statement they are “deeply saddened by the death of a City of Toronto employee this morning following a workplace incident.

“We offer our heartfelt condolences to our colleague’s family, friends and peers and are committed to supporting our employees during this difficult time,” Baker said.

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Worker’s death ‘tragic loss:’ CUPE

CUPE Local 416 said the worker’s death was a “tragic loss.

“On behalf of Local 416 and all our members, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the worker who lost his life while on the job,” the union said in a statement.

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“Local 416 is committed to working closely with the Ministry of Labour, investigators, police and the City of Toronto to understand what happened.

“We have reached out to the family to offer our support. Our thoughts remain with the family, their loved ones and all Solid Waste Management colleagues during this difficult time.”

Police are asking residents, businesses and drivers who may have additional security or dashcam footage of the area or incident to contact them at 416-808-1900. Anonymous information can also be sent to Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477 or 222tips.com.

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