Worker falls into deep trench at controversial construction site in Barrie

An industrial accident was reported at a controversial construction site in Barrie, Ont., on Tues., Aug. 23, 2022. (PHOTO COURTESY: Michael Chorney)

The Ministry of Labour is investigating after authorities say a worker at a construction site in Barrie fell into a trench Tuesday evening.

Barrie's Deputy Fire Chief Ed Davis said the worker, a man in his 30s, was standing on an addition to the building when it crumbled beneath him.

"Some of the cement work collapsed, and he fell into a trench. He was trapped," Davis said.

Davis said fire crews used a series of ropes and pulleys to climb down and lower a basket into place to pull the man from the hole.

He was retrieved and taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution.

• Download our app to get local alerts to your device

The ministry reports the worker was not injured in the fall.

The construction of the new Shoreview apartments at Johnson and Blake streets hasn't been without controversy.

The 11-storey proposed apartment building with 215 units was initially denied by city council after a 400-person signature petition from east-end Barrie ratepayers denounced the structure.

After provincial intervention, the city approved the new apartment building two years later, and after a two-year COVID-19 delay, it is expected to be completed in early 2024.