A tragic workplace accident shook the Parc-Extension community last week when a 48-year-old worker lost his life after being crushed by a forklift in the rear parking lot of a business on Beaumont Avenue.
The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m. Police officers from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) arrived quickly on the scene but confirmed that the man was already deceased upon their arrival, according to SPVM spokesperson Véronique Dubuc.
While a security perimeter was immediately established, investigators have indicated that early findings suggest the incident was accidental. Nevertheless, authorities are carefully evaluating the possibility of criminal negligence, a routine but crucial step whenever a workplace fatality occurs.
The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) also dispatched two inspectors to the site. Their mission: to piece together the circumstances leading up to the fatal event and determine whether a full investigation should be launched in the coming days.
At the time of publication, no official conclusions have been made public. However, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the inherent dangers present in industrial and commercial work settings — and the critical importance of rigorous safety protocols.
The Parc-Extension neighborhood, known for its tight-knit community and bustling commercial hubs, has reacted with sorrow and concern. Local business owners have quietly expressed solidarity with the victim’s family, while some are calling for renewed attention to workplace safety practices, particularly in areas where heavy machinery is operated daily.
This incident adds to a growing conversation in Quebec about workplace safety standards, as headlines elsewhere in the province — such as renewed legal action related to the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster — highlight the stakes when safety systems fail.
As the CNESST evaluates the need for a deeper probe, many are hoping that lessons from this tragedy can reinforce the commitment to preventing future accidents. In Parc-Extension and beyond, the loss of one worker is being felt as a loss for the entire community. Further updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.
