Man who died in trench collapse remembered for his kindness

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Liam Johnston’s partner is calling on his coworkers to come forward with information that may be helpful to OHS investigators

Published Jun 10, 2023 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute read

Liam Johnston, 27, was identified as the worker killed in a trench collapse on June 8, 2023. Photo by Photos Courtesy Emily Gofton /jpeg

The partner of a man killed in a workplace incident earlier this week says she won’t let his death be in vain, and hopes to find justice for the apprentice plumber.

Emily Gofton confirmed her boyfriend, Liam Johnston, was the 27-year-old worker killed on a job site in the northwest community of Charleswood on Thursday.

First responders were called to an alley in the 2600 block of 34th Avenue N.W. after a large amount of earth and retaining wall cinder blocks buried a man who was on a ladder doing sewer line repairs in a three- to six-metre-deep trench.

Johnston’s body was recovered from the trench Thursday night.

Gofton said she met Johnston when they were both working at Mr. Mike’s Plumbing in August of 2021. The two hit it off and later started dating. They moved in together last December.

Gofton had moved on to a new job, but she said Johnston was still working for Mr. Mike’s Plumbing when he was killed.

Liam Johnston, 27, with his partner Emily Gofton. Photo by Photos Courtesy Emily Gofton /jpeg

She described him as an incredible, compassionate person who always put others ahead of himself.

“It doesn’t matter if you’d known him for two minutes or 20 years, he was always going to be that person that would give you his last dollar,” said Gofton. “He was going to be that person that would rally around you if you ever needed it.”

Johnston, who was originally from Waterloo, Ont. loved the outdoors, Gofton said, and he was smitten by the mountains of his new chosen home.

“Liam could walk for eight hours a day,” she said. “He just loved to walk. He loved to be outside.”

When he couldn’t be outside, he enjoyed making music, playing both guitar and keyboard. She said he was also a huge Star Wars fan.

Liam Johnston, 27, was identified as the worker killed in a trench collapse on June 8, 2023 by his parter Emily Gofton, also pictured. — Liam Johnston, 27, was identified by his partner Emily Gofton (also pictured) as the worker killed in a trench collapse on June 8, 2023. Photo by Photos Courtesy Emily Gofton /jpeg

Johnston spoke to Gofton about the job site where he was killed.

“Just from my experience working in the company, and what he had shared with me about the ins and outs of the job, and pictures I’ve seen of this job specifically, it looks like it may have been a little different than what was typical,” she said.

The Calgary Fire Department said the hole was dug the day before it collapsed, and that material from “a steep slope above” collapsed onto Johnston.

There are certain rules that must be followed when trenches are dug below slopes or retaining walls. It is unclear if those measures were followed at the Charleswood work site. Alberta OHS does not comment on ongoing investigations.

Gofton said she is calling on all of Johnston’s coworkers to come forward with any information they have about what may have happened on that job site, or possibly on other job sites.

After man’s buried body recovered from trench, questions raised over workplace safety

Man dead after being buried in worksite trench in northwest Calgary

“Really, the big thing that we’re focusing on right now is getting justice for Liam,” she said. “We are pleading to anybody who has information — ex co-workers, current workers — not to stand with the company and to think about what Liam would do for you in this situation. Because what he would do is the right thing and get justice.”

She asking anyone with information to share to contact Occupational Health and Safety.

“We just need people who have that crucial information and evidence to come forward,” she said.

– With files from Bill Kaufmann

brthomas@postmedia.comTwitter: @brodie_thomas

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