Worker suffers life-threatening injuries after being pinned by crane in St. Catharines

A worker was transported to an out-of-region hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was pinned against the ground by a section of a crane in St. Catharines Tuesday afternoon.

Deputy Chief Dave Upper said firefighters were nearby in a rope rescue training exercise when the incident occurred at about 3:10 p.m. at Skycrane, a tower crane company at 530 Eastchester Ave.

As one of the worker's colleagues ran to the firefighters for assistance, he said other workers pulled the equipment off the man.

It happened really quick," Upper said. The training crew made their way to the worker, and by the time they got there they (workers) had re-rigged the section of crane and lifted it off the worker."

He said firefighters provided basic care to the man until Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics arrived, soon afterwards.

Niagara EMS spokesman Bryce Brunarski said the two paramedics and a supervisor who responded to the emergency described the man as alert and responsive, despite a pelvic injury that was deemed life-threatening.

He said paramedics used a recently acquired piece of equipment called a pelvic binder to stabilize any injuries he may have sustained, before transporting him to St. Catharines hospital.

Brunarski said an Ornge air ambulance then transported the man to an out-of-region trauma centre.

Upper said the Ministry of Labour has been called in to investigate the incident.

The company could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.

Allan Benner is a St. Catharines-based reporter with the Standard. Reach him via email: allan.benner@niagaradailies.com