For the past month and a half, a widow has had to explain to her four-year-old son every night why his father, who lost his life in a work accident, will not come and tuck him in before going to bed.
“Every night, we have to start over. He asks why his father doesn’t come to give him a kiss and a hug. We still can’t believe it,” sighs Katia Levesque, 35, heartbroken by the loss of her husband, Eric Lapointe, on July 3.
On that day, around 3:45 p.m., the 42-year-old truck driver had just finished unloading at the ecocentre on Rang Saint-Joseph in Cowansville, located in Estrie.
Little Information
According to what his wife has gathered, Mr. Lapointe was inspecting his heavy goods vehicle before returning to the road when he was fatally crushed.
A local employee operating a loader reportedly backed up against the truck without noticing the father of three—aged 4, 10, and 12—who was standing between the two large machines.
Mr. Lapointe had no chance. He died at the scene.
“If Eric hadn’t been there, the loader would have still backed up into the truck,” says Ms. Levesque, who is struggling to obtain clear answers about the events that transpired.
“We are currently very limited in the information we are receiving. It is inconsistent. The police, the CNESST, and the coroner are investigating, but we are not being informed much,” explains the resident of Saint-Blaise-sur-Richelieu, in Montérégie.
The Sûreté du Québec concluded that this incident was accidental.
Prudent
Ms. Levesque still finds it difficult to understand how this tragedy could have occurred.
“Eric was so careful,” she recalls about her best friend and confidant, struggling to keep her composure. “He always performed his inspections.”
“It’s heartbreaking to know that he died alone, out there. He had time to see his life come to an end,” she continues.
Katia Levesque laments the many workplace fatalities that happened this summer.
A Flaw
Last week, The Journal reported at least 18 workers who have lost their lives since the end of April.
“Given the number of fatal accidents, there is a serious flaw. No one should leave for work without returning home,” Ms. Levesque says sadly. “Everyone else’s life is getting back to normal, but it will take us years to recover, if we even do.”
“I’m not alone in my grief. I have three children. It’s a nightmare,” she says. “We had so many beautiful years left together.”
The couple was set to go on a family vacation at the end of July.
“Eric was so looking forward to it. And then, that was taken away from him. People work all year for just two weeks of vacation,” Ms. Levesque protests.
Heartbreaking Story: A Widow’s Struggle to Explain Loss to Her Young Son
For the past month and a half, a widow has had to explain to her four-year-old son every night why his father, who lost his life in a work accident, will not come and tuck him in before going to bed.
“Every night, we have to start over. He asks why his father doesn’t come and give him a kiss and a hug. We still can’t believe it,” sighs Katia Levesque, 35, devastated by the loss of her husband, Eric Lapointe, on July 3.
Photo provided by Katia Levesque
That day, around 3:45 p.m., the 42-year-old truck driver had just unloaded at the ecocentre on Rang Saint-Joseph in Cowansville, in Estrie.
Details of the Tragic Incident
According to what his wife of the last 12 years has in her possession, Mr. Lapointe was busy inspecting his heavy goods vehicle before getting back on the road when he was crushed. A local employee driving a loader reportedly backed up against the truck without noticing the father of three children aged 4, 10, and 12 who was standing between the two imposing machines.
Mr. Lapointe had no chance. He died at the scene.
“If Eric wasn’t there, he would still have backed up in the truck,” says Ms. Levesque, who is slow to receive clear answers about the causes and circumstances.
“We are very limited in the information we are receiving at the moment. It is disjointed. The police, the CNESST, and the coroner are investigating, but we are not being told much,” explains the resident of Saint-Blaise-sur-Richelieu, in Montérégie.
The Sûreté du Québec determined, after an investigation, that this incident was accidental in nature.
The Emotional Toll of Sudden Loss
Mrs. Levesque still has difficulty explaining how this tragedy could have happened.
“Eric was so careful,” she said of her best friend and confidant, choking back tears. “He was always doing his inspection.”
“It’s terrible to know that he died all alone, there,” she continues. “He had time to see his time come.”
Katia Levesque deplores the numerous workplace deaths that occurred this summer.
Alarming Statistics on Workplace Safety
Last week, The Journal reported at least 18 workers who have lost their lives since the end of April.
“Given the number of fatal accidents, there is a big gap. No one should leave for work without coming home,” says Ms. Levesque sadly. “Everyone’s life is getting back to normal, but it’s going to take us years to recover, if we ever do.”
“I’m not alone in my grief. I have three children. It’s a nightmare,” she said. “We had many beautiful years together left.”
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim’s Name | Eric Lapointe |
| Date of Incident | July 3 |
| Occupation | Truck Driver |
| Children | Three (Ages 4, 10, 12) |
| Workplace Safety Concerns | Increasing Fatalities this Summer |
The couple was due to go on a family holiday at the end of July.
“Eric was so looking forward to it. And then, that was taken away from him. People work all year for two weeks of vacation,” protests Ms. Levesque.
Understanding the Impact of Workplace Accidents
Workplace injuries can have devastating effects not only on the individuals directly involved but also on their families and communities. It is crucial for employers to prioritize safety measures and protocols to prevent such tragedies.
Practical Tips for Workplace Safety
- Conduct regular safety training for employees.
- Encourage a culture of safety where employees report hazards without fear.
- Ensure that heavy machinery is properly maintained and inspected regularly.
- Implement clear communication protocols to avoid accidents.
Conclusion
Stories like that of Katia Levesque and Eric Lapointe serve as powerful reminders of the human cost of workplace accidents. The emotional ramifications ripple through families and communities, highlighting the urgent need for stringent workplace safety regulations.
