Heather Wright/The Independent

The Ministry of Labour is saying little about its investigation into the death of a 26 year-old construction worker in Forest.

Work had been underway for a couple of weeks on the wall of a building near the King Street West Parkette. Lambton Shores purchased two lots there in 2024 which were vacant after a fire. Community groups in the area urged the municipality to expand the small parkette with the two lots. 

The plan calls for a stage to be built for outdoor events.

Lambton Shores approved the work in August hiring Frank Van Bussel and Sons Ltd to resurface, the ground and install hydro and water to the parkette for just over $110,000.

But before any of the work on the parkette could begin, the wall to the building had to be re-enforced. Lambton Shores hired another contractor to complete that work which began on the project in mid-September.

On Oct. 2, Lambton OPP and emergency services were called to King Street site around 6:22 pm where work to reinforce the wall of a building beside the parkette was scaffolding had been erected. 

Police say the man fell and suffered life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. 

OPP say the man was from Mexico. 

Police, including the forensic unit, the Coroner’s office and the Ministry of Labour were on scene until midnight Oct. 2. 

The Ministry of Labour continues its investigation and declined to comment on questions about the death.

Lambton Shores CAO Stephen McAuley also wouldn’t comment directly about the investigation into the man’s death, but says the municipality “expects all contractors to comply with all applicable federal and provincial labour, employment, and health and safety legislation. Contractors are responsible for ensuring that their employees are properly trained,” he said via email.

“Any workplace incidents that occur on contracted projects are subject to the appropriate reporting and investigation requirements set out under provincial workplace safety regulations.”

The construction worker has not been identified.