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Man falls down legislature elevator shaft

A worker is transported to hospital after slipping down an elevator shaft at the Manitoba legislative building Friday afternoon.

JOE.BRYKSA@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Enlarge Image

A worker is transported to hospital after slipping down an elevator shaft at the Manitoba legislative building Friday afternoon.

WINNIPEG — The province is investigating how a 60-year-old maintenance worker fell down an elevator shaft at the Legislative building early Friday afternoon.

The worker, a legislature employee, was working on the basement level of the building when he fell about six feet down a service elevator shaft around 1 p.m., a provincial spokesman said.

"He opened the door, or the door became opened -- we’re still investigating that -- and the elevator wasn’t there and the worker fell approximately six feet to the bottom of the elevator shaft," said Don Hurst, assistant deputy minister for Workplace Safety and Health.

Workplace Safety and Health staff are investigating the accident and the circumstances of how the man fell, including a review of the mechanical operating condition of the elevator, Hurst said.

The nature of the man’s injuries wasn’t disclosed. However, a legislative worker told the Free Press that the man was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and was seen joking around with medical staff.

"In any incident like this, we’re always concerned about condition of worker and we’re thankful that he’s okay," said Hurst, adding that incidents like this at the legislature are "rare."

The public doesn’t have access to the elevator, which is in the southwest corner of the building.

city.desk@freepress.mb.cacity.desk@freepress.mb.ca

History

Updated on Friday, August 6, 2010 at 2:51 PM CDT:
Adds more information on circumstances of fall.

Updated on Friday, August 6, 2010 at 4:00 PM CDT:
Adds more information on circumstances of fall

Updated on Friday, August 6, 2010 at 4:30 PM CDT:
Adds comment from provincial official.

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