(Photo credit: Danielle Scott/Creative Commons)
Police are investigating after a 31-year-old man was dragged under a GO train that was leaving downtown Toronto.
The backpack of the man, who’s been identified as Daniel Panacci, was snagged by the Union Station train when it was leaving the station and headed towards Barrie. It’s unclear whether he was waiting for or leaving the train at around 5:30 pm during rush hour, but he was dragged under the train and it took some time for GO personnel to realize that someone was hit, according to Global News. Panacci, who was an IT professional at the Royal Bank of Canada, was pronounced dead on the scene.
“Transit safety officers were there moments after the incident,” Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins told Global. “We do have lots of staff and they are always watching out. There is only so much they can do.”
Meanwhile, police shared limited details as the investigation is ongoing. Panacci was walking eastbound on the platform when he was snagged by the westbound train.
“In order for you to essentially be struck by that train, you have to be within that operating area. And that is the yellow cautionary area. So at some point, he got inside that area.” Const. Clint Stibbe from the Toronto Police Service told Global.
While police have collected video surveillance, they are also appealing to witnesses to come forward to shed more light into the cause of the incident. The situation is being treated as a homicide and it’s expected that witness statements will have a huge impact in the investigation, Stibbe told the Toronto Star.
This incident comes after the regional transportation service’s first fatal bus accident in mid-January, which killed a female passenger. The driver operating the vehicle during the fatal rollover on Highway 407 near Weston Road was later charged with careless driving.
Stay safe on bus and train platforms by walking or waiting behind the white or yellow marked lines. During rush hour, when there may be large crowds, it’s important that you don’t rush forward and push people aside to reach your destination.
It’s important that you don’t make a last minute decision to cross in front of a train, go to a designated railway crossing to cross the tracks and never race a train to a crossing. Also, be aware that trains cannot stop quickly and keep your distance since they are usually moving faster and closer than you may think.
Motor vehicle accidents happen and accident benefits are available to anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident regardless of who caused the accident. The personal injury and accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers have been dealing with all accident related issues throughout Ontario for over 45 years. We know how to get you the compensation that you deserve and get your life back in order after being in a car accident. Call us at 416-920-4242, set up a free consultation, and come speak with us.
Greg Neinstein
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