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(Updated)

A workplace tragedy kills a 17-year old co-op student. Adam Keunen died today in an industrial accident in West Lincoln. He was hit by a front end loader at Plazek Auto Recyclers. The Ministry of Labour is now investigating. His stunned classmates at Beamsville Secondary School are in mourning tonight.

Adam Keunen had just started his co-op placement at Plazek Auto Recycling on Silver Street in West Lincoln. At 9:45 this morning, a 911 call came in for a teenager struck by a front end loader in the yard. Paramedics and firefighters tried, but Adam could not be saved.

Inspector Bill Harris, Niagara Regional Police: “The coroner is on scene now. We have our collision reconstruction unit. We have our Grimsby number eight detectives on scene and our forensics and uniform officers as well.”

Adam was a student at Beamsville Secondary School. Flags there are at half staff.

Kim Yielding, District School Board of Niagara: “In the first few weeks, the students would be learning about the program in the classroom environment. Learning safety procedures. Those in the program would only have been in the co-op one or two times.”

The principal broke the news about Adam’s death this afternoon.

Sarah Rentjima, student: “I was really shocked. Sad. Really surprised that he died and I knew him.”

Adam was a student at Beamsville Secondary for four years. He attended the school with his twin brother. Because Adam was a co-op student at the recycling yard, it will
be the police leading the investigation, not the Ministry of Labour.

Kim Yielding, Communications Director at the District School Board of Niagara says grief counsellors are at the at the school to help anyone who needs them: “Students and staff are in shock naturally. Adam was a very loved member of the Beamsville community.”

Adam’s death was compounded for his family today. His father is a volunteer firefighter in West Lincoln and he was one of the first responders to the 911 call.