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Contractor killed at Suncor oilsands operation near Fort McMurray

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A contractor at Suncor’s oilsands operation near Fort McMurray was killed Friday morning.

The worker, who was employed by Aecon Mining, was buried during trenching work at Suncor’s Millennium mine, said Trent Bancarz, a spokesman with Alberta Occupational Health and Safety.

He was in his 30s, Bancarz told The Canadian Press.

Emergency crews at the site responded immediately and RCMP arrived about 9:40 a.m. The man was declared dead at the scene. 

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Suncor Energy spokeswoman Sneh Seetal said family was being notified. The worker’s name was not being released at this time, she said.

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Seetal said grief counselling will be offered to employees on site.

The Alberta Energy Regulator has been notified and the incident was being investigated by the RCMP and Alberta Occupational Health and Safety.

Aecon Group chief executive officer John Beck said operations have been put on hold during the OHS investigation and his company would also undertake its own “thorough investigation into the matter.”

“Our sympathies and prayers are with our employee’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,” he said in a statement. 

The site is roughly 30 km north of Fort McMurray.

With files from Vincent McDermott

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