Truck hits porta-potty, injuring construction worker inside

Employee working on a highway project just east of Thunder Bay was inside a portable toilet Tuesday when it was struck by a water truck that was backing up

One person was injured and a portable toilet was damaged in an accident at a highway construction site east of Thunder Bay on Oct. 31, 2023 (Skilled Truckers Canada/Facebook)

The Ontario labour ministry is investigating an unusual workplace accident that occurred on a highway construction site east of Thunder Bay.

An employee of Teranorth Construction was hurt Tuesday morning in a mishap that occurred near Dorion, where work continues on the twinning of Highway 11/17.

According to sources with knowledge of the incident, the man was in a portable outhouse when it was struck by a water truck that was backing up, and received a serious leg injury.

Superior North EMS paramedics assessed him and provided initial treatment before the patient was flown to Thunder Bay by Ornge air ambulance.

Teranorth officials declined to comment when contacted by Dougall Media, citing ongoing investigations.

Ontario Provincial Police were also called to the scene, but a spokesperson said the incident is now in the hands of the labour ministry.

Although a government inspector has visited the job site and issued six requirements to the company, a ministry spokesperson said the specifics cannot be made public while the investigation is ongoing.