Residents of a midtown Toronto high-rise say they have been left deeply saddened and perplexed after learning a man plummeted nine storeys down the building’s garbage chute.
Emergency crews were called to the building on 140 Erskine Ave. after 10:10 p.m. on Wednesday. The man was found at the bottom of the chute above the compactor. Equipment had to be taken apart to remove him. He was found with no vital signs and declared deceased on scene.
Toronto police told Global News they do not believe foul play was involved. However, officers are probing other possibilities.
Police said the incident appears to have been accidental, but that the matter remains under investigation. They are waiting on the coroner’s report to make a more definitive determination.
John Beardsmore has lived in the building for the last 30 years and said he was asleep when the incident occurred, but his wife was awake.
“My wife heard stuff. She was just wondering how could anyone fall down the garbage chute? It makes no sense to me,” he said on Wednesday.
A similar sentiment was shared by a number of residents.
“There was some announcement around 10:30 p.m. that they closed the chute from the apartment side, but other than that we weren’t aware of what exactly happened,” said Govin Krish.
He recalled seeing the man who fell a number of times on the way to the elevator.
“He’s five feet plus, definitely five feet plus — seemed to be a normal guy,” said Krish
Garbage disposal room doors on each floor of the building were bolted shut on Wednesday. Signs were posted on the doors alerting residents that the chute and compactor would remain out of service until further notice.
An apartment door not far from the disposal room on the ninth floor was sealed with police tape. Neighbours said two brothers lived there.
Residents said it was one of the men who died in the bizarre incident.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs said Ontario’s Building Code includes safety requirements for garbage and laundry chutes, but they do not apply to existing buildings.
“Chute safety is addressed through requirements for automatic closures on garbage chute intake openings, and a requirement that they latch after use,” ministry representative Praveen Senthinathan said in an email.
“There is no maximum size established for the opening. The larger the chute, the larger the required opening.”
Global News reached out to the management company for 140 Erskine Avenue, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
—With files from David Shum and The Canadian Press
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