 |
|
|
|
|
  
|
Worker critical after propeller mishap Galit Rodan Northern News Services Published Wednesday, February 15, 2012
An RCMP press release stated the 28-year-old man "received serious injuries when struck by a propeller" around 8:20 p.m. The man, whose name has not been released, is in critical condition at Edmonton's University of Alberta Hospital, said Damien Healy, manager of communications for the Health Department. Police, fire and ambulance attended the scene. Paramedics initially transported the man to Stanton Territorial Hospital. Canadian North president Tracy Medve said the incident occurred shortly after Flight 478 from Cambridge Bay landed in Yellowknife with 13 passengers on board. "On arrival the aircraft was marshaled to park on the apron," said Chris Krepski, a spokesman for the Transportation Safety Board, which is gathering information and assessing the situation. "The left engine was shut down and the right engine was feathered. The marshaller moved from the nose of the aircraft toward the right main landing gear area with wheel chocks in hand and was struck by the propeller. That's as much as we have right now," he said. Medve said Canadian North arranged to fly the man's family to Edmonton this morning. "At this point our focus is really on the employees who were there. Certainly we've offered counsellors and so on to anyone who wants or needs that resource - obviously the passengers and the crew and the family - that's what we're busy with at this point, in addition to working with investigators," she said. Medve said the company will take whatever steps are necessary to prevent a reoccurrence. The incident occurred while much of Yellowknife was plunged into darkness after a military helicopter struck a power line near the airport at about 7:50 p.m. Monday. Krepski said the safety board is aware of the blackout. "Apparently it did affect the apron lighting, but to what extent we're not sure," he said. "It still remains to be seen to what extent if any it was contributory."
|
