A freak truck accident left a Toronto construction worker severely burned after being encased in molten tar. After a difficult rescue, he was rushed to a burn unit, where his injuries are considered life-threatening. However, they likely would have been much worse if he had not been wearing a protective suit during the accident.
Construction Worker Encased in Molten Tar
The incident happened just after 7:30 in the morning of Monday, September 26, 2016. 46-year-old construction worker Clint Stibbe was in the back of a tractor trailer truck that was carrying molten tar. The truck was driving through the city of Toronto, Canada, on the way to another job site when a blow torch that was attached to the front of the vehicle fell off. In an attempt to avoid an accident, the truck driver hit the brakes. Unfortunately, he tried stopping the vehicle too quickly, causing the molten tar in the back to slide forward. The tar, which was at a scalding 400 degree Fahrenheit, slid all over Stibbe, whose cries of pain could be heard several streets away.
Emergency Personnel Perform Difficult Extrication
Police and firefighters responded to the scene immediately, but were faced with a difficult task: Stibbe was closed in the back of the truck and covered with hot, molten tar that was slowly cooling and hardening around him.
Firefighters decided to cut a hole in the side of the truck to gain access to the suffering worker, who remained conscious throughout the terrible ordeal, and was able to communicate to the emergency responders. The extrication took the 18 firefighters on hand more than an hour and a half, by which time Stibbe was almost fully encased in solid tar, making the final extrication all the more difficult.
Victim Suffers Life-Threatening Burn Injuries
After being pulled from the hardening tar that had caused him severe burns, Stibbe was rushed to the burn unit at the local hospital, where his injuries have been described as life-threatening. Nevertheless, they likely would have been much worse if he had not been wearing a protective suit at the time of the accident.
Investigation Underway
Despite the fact that Stibbe was wearing protective gear, the Canadian Ministry of Labour is investigating the incident, to determine if Stibbe should have been riding in the back of the truck with the payload of tar. If he should not have been back there, then his employer is likely to face serious legal repercussions and penalties for its actions that put Stibbe at such a high risk of injury.
Cobb County Personal Injury Attorneys
While the specific injuries that Stibbe suffered are unlikely to happen, employers often put their workers at unnecessary risks that could lead to significant injuries. This is where the personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter can help. Our Cobb County-based law office can help you get the compensation that you deserve from the people responsible for your injuries. Contact us online to effectively represent you in court.
