On Wednesday, a city employee of Buffalo was murdered while removing the record snowfall that is still troubling the town four days after it was dropped.
At 11:15 a.m. on McKinley Parkway in South Buffalo, an unnamed worker was struck by a high lift vehicle that was unloading a load of snow into a dump truck while moving in reverse, according to Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
The worker, who had “decades” of expertise in the profession, passed away at the scene.
Mayor Byron Brown stated, “This is a well-known man who has been in local administration for decades.” A person with a plethora of expertise who has contributed significantly to city service during the last decades.
The employee’s identify is being suppressed awaiting notification of his or her relatives.
The Buffalo region received up to 8 feet of snow as a blizzard slammed Western New York.
DANIEL WILLIAM MCKNIGHT
The guy operating the high loader was a third-party contractor hired by the city on November 19 to assist with the removal of the approximately 8-foot snowfall.
Brown stated that the driver is “in shock” but is completely participating with the city’s inquiry.
The worker’s death is the sixth since the hurricane ravaged the city, according to The Buffalo News. Three individuals have died from cardiac episodes related to snow shoveling, while a 74-year-old man who smashed his automobile during the storm on Friday was discovered dead on Tuesday.
In light of the unfortunate tragedy, the city of Buffalo has suspended snow removal until Friday morning.
“We are aware that the workforce is currently experiencing a great deal of sorrow. Brown stated, “We are aware that folks have been working 16- to 18-hour shifts on very little sleep.”
City officials have not stated if sleep deprivation may have contributed to the disaster, but “all parts of the inquiry” are being examined.
“Clearly, with a snowfall such as this one, which began on Thursday and lasted until Sunday, people are working around the clock. “People work long hours,” added Brown.
According to the mayor, there were 180 pieces of heavy equipment removing snow from South Buffalo on Wednesday. At the time of the worker’s death, police were working traffic control to safeguard vehicles, pedestrians, and employees from the heavy equipment.
The case is currently being investigated and has been reported to the office of the district attorney. City employees impacted by the event are provided with bereavement counseling.