Ottawa man, 20, dies in hedge-trimming accident
Ontario's ministry of labour is investigating after a 20-year-old Ottawa contractor died while working for a hedge-trimming company.
The workplace fatality happened on Friday in Manotick, a ministry spokesperson said. The man, 20-year-old Nick Chenier, was working for Best Green Hedges.
In a statement Monday afternoon, the company's owner confirmed Chenier died in a "tragic accident."
"I don’t think it’s possible to put into words the utter devastation of losing him - we're a close team, and Nick was like family to all of us," Sheldon Best Green said. "He always had a smile on his face, and was one of the most joyful and hardworking guys we have ever known.
"Spending time with Nick was everyone’s favourite part of the day, and he will be loved and missed beyond words."
The ministry of labour did not identify Chenier by name or give further details about the accident. But a GoFundMe started by a family friend said he was electrocuted.
"Sadly, Nick was electrocuted when he hit an overhead hydro line that was buried within the hedge (it had grown around it)," the GoFundMe page said. "Despite the best efforts of first responder and the Emergency Department at the Queensway Carleton Hospital they were unable to bring Nick back."
A ministry inspector and engineer attended the scene and issued four requirements the employer, the ministry spokesman said.
Best Green Hedges is a cedar trimming company whose website says it serves locations across the entire Ottawa region. The company is based in North Gower.
Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe expressed condolences on social media Monday and shared the the GoFundMe Page, which is raising money for Chenier's mother and brother.
"I was devastated and heartbroken to learn of the loss of Nick Chenier in a tragic workplace accident on Friday," Sutcliffe said on Twitter.
The GoFundMe page is raising money for funeral costs, counselling services and Chenier's mother's lost wages as she takes time off work to grieve and support her son. The GoFundMe had surpassed its $40,000 goal as of early Monday afternoon.
In a statement, Hydro Ottawa said it was made aware of the incident on Friday, but could not comment further on the matter because it did not involve one of its employees or contractors.
"Friday's incident was tragic and we are all reminded how dangerous it is to work with and around electricity," the statement said. "We would like to reiterate to everyone that they do everything to ensure their safety.
The utility said residents should familiarize themselves with the location and voltage of the power lines around their home, and to always remain at a minimum of three to six metres away from wires at all times.
"The thoughts of the entire Hydro Ottawa organization are with the contractor's family."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Canadian-Israeli man shot dead in Egypt; claim links killing to Gaza
A Canadian man 'of Jewish Israeli descent' has been shot dead in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in a suspected criminal case, a security source said, while a previously unknown militant group said it carried out the attack in reaction to the war in Gaza.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.