Statement on the passing of TTC employee Tom Dedes

Tom Dedes, 50, an 18-year veteran of the TTC and a subway track maintenance employee, succumbed to injuries today sustained after a workplace incident in the early hours of Oct. 1. He died at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre where he'd been rushed following the incident.

Just after 2 a.m. on Oct. 1, Tom and his co-workers were off-loading equipment from a TTC pickup truck onto a workcar at McCowan Yard in preparation of maintenance work to be performed on Line 3 Scarborough later that night. When the workcar was finished being loaded, it moved off under the power of a locomotive. There is no traction power rail where the workcar was situated. Tom was positioned between the pickup truck and the workcar when the tail swing of the workcar struck and pinned Tom against the pickup truck, causing significant internal injuries.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour was immediately notified and their investigation is ongoing. A parallel TTC investigation is also ongoing.

"On behalf of the entire TTC family, I send my deepest condolences to Tom's parents and his partner, Gina, at this very difficult time," said TTC CEO Andy Byford. "Our thoughts are also with Tom's co-workers as we all come to terms with this tragic and shocking event."

The TTC is co-operating, fully, with the Ministry of Labour to understand what happened and what needs to be done to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.

Grief counsellors are being made available for Tom's co-workers. The TTC will consult with Tom's family regarding any special arrangements they may have for his funeral.