Crazy accident downtown: piece of building falls by Calgary Tower, hits pedestrians - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bob · 08-01-2009, 09:33 PM

Right next to the Calgary tower, a section of a building under construction blew off in high winds and apparently struck three people on the ground (estimating it fell ~15 storeys). That section of 9th avenue is closed off right now and there are police and fire trucks everywhere. I was at Ruth's Chris when it happened and was told by a member of the staff that the debris hit a family of three: a mother and father and their young child. One ambulance left that we saw. Hopefully everybody involved ends up okay, but it looked like there might have been a body at the scene covered up. I hope that's not the case.

It's such a crazy accident when you think about it. Seems so improbable for that to happen and the hit someone.

I have a picture of the debris and building in question which I'll try to upload. It's a big freaking piece of sheet metal.

Edit: Here's a picture of the debris. It's the big silvery thing in the middle with a dent in it. It looks like it has a big dent in the middle. The building across the street had an arch made of these on the top floor. The cones in the background are likely where the people where standing.

Bobblehead · 08-01-2009, 09:38 PM

Every couple of years there is a story about debris from buildings under construction. I think the last one was in Chinatown, but no one was hurt that time. Doesn't sound like everyone was as lucky this time.

metallicat · 08-01-2009, 09:38 PM

Wow. Not a good day in Alberta.

FurnaceFace · 08-01-2009, 10:07 PM

I assume it's the same incident, 660 news is reporting a 3 yr old girl was killed after being struck with debris and a man and another child were taken to hospital. I only caught the last part of the report but they said at least the man went to hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Resolute 14 · 08-01-2009, 10:09 PM

Heard the same... what a crappy day in Alberta.

Bob · 08-01-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

I assume it's the same incident, 660 news is reporting a 3 yr old girl was killed after being struck with debris and a man and another child were taken to hospital. I only caught the last part of the report but they said at least the man went to hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Oh damn. Oh damn.

tete · 08-01-2009, 10:17 PM

If I'm not mistaken, that's the same project where a construction worker was killed a few months ago.

So sad.

wooohooo · 08-01-2009, 10:17 PM

That's extremely sad. Wow.

Saint Troy · 08-01-2009, 10:20 PM

Horrific.

Bunk · 08-01-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tete

If I'm not mistaken, that's the same project where a construction worker was killed a few months ago.

So sad.

Different project, just down the street. Very sad incident.

LockedOut · 08-01-2009, 10:26 PM

Sad week with several small children dying by freak accidents.

Methanolic · 08-01-2009, 10:39 PM

Oh my good God!!

WTF!! is going on lately? This is so sad and tragic. I feel like hiding under a rock so I don't have to hear any more of this s**t!!

My condolences to the family.

Methanolic · 08-01-2009, 10:42 PM

Unfortunately it has been confirmed that a 3 year old girl was ......Sorry, I can't even think it let alone type it

>>>>>> http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alber.../10338031.html

Dion · 08-01-2009, 10:44 PM

Extremely sad situation

Condolances to the family for thier loss.

Buzzard · 08-01-2009, 10:45 PM

I was downtown when the emergency vehicles were flying down there. I knew something bad must have happened because there were so many of them.

starseed · 08-01-2009, 10:54 PM

I cannot even fathom what those parents are going through right now. That is the worst that can happen to a parent. The girl was robbed off life way too early.

I was probably walking down near there hours before it happened... its times like this that make you realize how important it is to appreciate what time you have on this earth.

Methanolic · 08-01-2009, 10:58 PM

I really hope the media doesn't jump on this story and drag it out for weeks to come in some sort of "construction site saftey" BS expose'.

This was obviously one of those freak incidents, Not everything can be prevented with rules,restrictions & standards. So there is no excuse for Global,CBC,CITY,CTV,The Herald or the Sun to "squeeze" this story.

For once, I would like to see some respect for family and loved ones.

...Although, I'm sure the SCUM-BAGS! at the sun already have a gruesome front page prepped and ready for the presses!

God Bless the family of that little child, And I pray their suffering is not compounded by the media.

CaptainCrunch · 08-01-2009, 11:03 PM

How the hell do you know it wasn't an aspect of site safety. It has to be investigated to make sure it wast a freak accident.

I'm sure the family is going to want to know as well.

And any newspaper in the world whether its the herald the sun or the enquirer is going to put resources into it.

Resolute 14 · 08-01-2009, 11:08 PM

Agreed, though from personal experience I will agree completely that if the Sun can sell a couple more copies by sensationalizing a story, regardless of the facts, it will do so.

Mean Mr. Mustard · 08-01-2009, 11:10 PM

If anything could have been done to prevent this accident and if any safety protocols were not followed I truly hope that the construction company is levied a massive fine and that the money generated goes towards a fund in the girls honour. But realistically this isn't the time for asking how it happened, but rather the time for mourning the event, there is plenty of time in the future for figuring out the specifics.

This is just a sad event and one which will undoubtedly fracture a family, my thoughts and prayers are with the parents as well as any other family that the young girl may have had.