A person has died after being struck by a commercial vehicle hauling garbage at the landfill in Oro-Medonte.
According to Fire Chief Roree Payment, local emergency crews were dispatched to the Simcoe County-run landfill site, located on Old Barrie Road near Line 7 North, around 8:30 a.m. Monday.
“We arrived on scene and it was determined that the person was deceased,” he told Village Media.
Police initially began investigating, but officials with Orillia OPP later told Village Media that the Ministry of Labour had been notified and has taken over the investigation.
A spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development confirmed they were notified of a workplace incident in the County of Simcoe.
“It was reported that a worker was struck by a vehicle and later succumbed to their injuries," the spokesperson said.
Inspectors have been assigned to investigate the incident, but the ministry spokesperson said they are not releasing further details at this time.
A statement on the County of Simcoe's website also confirmed that the incident involved county employees and that one person had died.
“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues affected by this tragic loss,” the statement read. “We remain committed to supporting our staff and ensuring they have access to all necessary resources.”
Given the ongoing investigation and out of respect for the family’s privacy, county officials said no additional information was being released.
Due to the ongoing investigation, the landfill will remain closed until further notice.
Flags have also been lowered to half-staff at the county's administration centre in Midhurst.