A 21-year-old man killed at the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan construction site Thursday was a promising young actor and model, his agency says.
Eric Ndayishmiye has been identified by Masala Model and Talent as the Saskatoon man who died at the job site when a steel lift reportedly fell on him.
“His career was just taking off,” a post on Masala’s Facebook page read. He was a talented and “sweet young man who’s [sic] life was cut short.”
He had just been cast in a national commercial, according to the agency.
Details on the fatality are still under investigation, but initial reports indicate Ndayishmiye was killed when a steel construction lift fell on him, according to both the Saskatoon Health Region and Saskatoon Fire Department.
Emergency crews were called to the site at about 3:30 p.m.
MD Ambulance paramedics were giving Ndayishmiye CPR when firefighters arrived on site, the fire department said Thursday.
He was pronounced dead in hospital, according to a physician who treated him.
“This is a real tragedy,” Colin Anderson, Graham’s vice-president of buildings, said in a written release. “Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all those impacted by this terrible incident.”
Graham oversees the site. The Saskatoon Health Region says he was working for sub-contractor Banff Constructors Ltd.
“On behalf of everybody in the Saskatoon Health Region, I first want to extend my condolences to this young man’s family and friends for their loss,” Dan Florizone, the region’s pesident and CEO, said in a statement.
“I also want to express my deep sympathy to his coworkers and all those who work on this site each day.”
Police and Occupational Health and Safety crews are still investigating.
The incident occurred on the site’s south side, according to the fire department.
--- CORRECTION: Ndayishmiye was pronounced dead in hospital, not on scene as Graham construction initially indicated.
