The city of London confirmed Sunday morning that emergency responders recovered the body of a worker who died after a building partially collapsed in southwest London, Ont. on Friday.
The recovery which happened just before midnight Saturday was a team effort between London Police Service, London Fire Department, Middlesex-London Paramedic Service and the city of London. As well, a private demolition company that was contracted to support the work.
“Earlier recovery efforts were slowed because the building was unstable following the collapse,” the city said in a statement.
“Portions of the building were carefully dismantled until the structure was stable enough to recover the individual without putting emergency workers at risk,” the statement read.
Officials were unable to answer questions on how they reached the body, but emphasized that they did so “safely” for all of those involved.
“You have to systematically ensure the building is safe and then approach the response in a tactful way to ensure safety is maintained,” said Dave O’Brien, manager of the city of London’s emergency management team.
“What I saw first hand over these last few days as we worked on site was nothing short of incredible,” London Mayor Ed Holder said.
“There is nothing good that can be said about something this tragic but in the midst of this horrible tragedy I would say this was London at its best coming together.”
Holder also gave his “sincerest condolences” to the victims and loved ones of those involved.
The partial collapse occurred just before 12 p.m. on Friday at 555 Teeple Terrace., the site of Nest on Wonderland, which is currently under construction.
Its website described the building as “brand new premium apartments” under construction in southwest London, set to open in spring or summer 2021.
Officials confirmed Friday evening that the person trapped was dead and that crews had not been able to remove the body.
Two people died and four others were taken to hospital following the collapse.
One of the deceased has been identified as John Martens by the Lighthouse Gospel Church in Port Burwell.
According to his obituary, Martens was 21-years-old. He was from Langton.
The Lighthouse Gospel Church said on Facebook his funeral will be held at the church at a later date.
The church also confirmed the other deceased as 26-year-old Henry Harder of Tillsonburg.
His obituary says a private family funeral service will be held at the Lighthouse Gospel Church on Tuesday.
Police confirm that a sixth person was assessed at the scene with minor injuries and not transported to hospital.
Of the four people transported to hospital, two have been discharged and the other two are in stable condition, according to Dr. Neil Perry, site chief of surgery at Victoria Hospital.
One of the contractors on the site, East Elgin Concrete Forming Limited (EECFL), has since confirmed that the two deceased workers are their employees.
“Our hearts go out to the affected workers, their families, friends and co-workers,” said Tyson Van Leeuwen, president of EECFL.
“The safety of our employees, contractors and our community is the number one priority at East Elgin Concrete Forming.”
London Police Chief Steve Williams confirmed the structure is still in the hands of police but that the investigation is being led by the Ministry of Labour.
“The role of the police right now is to assist the Ministry of Labour in the investigation and to assist the Office of the Coroner.”
Williams said there is no timeline on how long the investigation will take.
“The owner will have responsibility for the building and city building officials will continue to work with the owner to ensure the safety of the building and any future actions required moving forward on that property,” O’Brien said.
“We are devastated by this incident, and our thoughts remain with the affected workers, their families, friends and co-workers,” Michelle Doornbosch, president, Nest on Wonderland, said in a statement.
The cause of the accident is unknown at this time but the Nest on Wonderland said an investigation is ongoing and that the company is co-operating fully with the regulatory authorities.
“Our first priority is always the safety of our employees, contractors and the community in which we work and live.”
Wonderland Road, between Commissioners Road and Springbank Drive, has since reopened.
— With files from Jacquelyn LeBel, Andrew Graham, and Nick Westoll Global News and the Canadian Press
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