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The owner of a Kanata auto repair shop says the business is devastated by the loss of a young employee who died over the weekend when a tire he was working on ruptured, according to police.
First responders were called to the shop on Edgewater Street around 1:40 p.m. Saturday, following reports of a man in his early 20s who was seriously injured in a mechanical bay. Police say he died from his injuries after he was rushed to hospital.
Tariq In’Airat, the owner of Kanata Wheels, identified the employee as Jordan Junger and said he had worked there for about five years.
“We’re all very devastated here at the shop for the unfortunate tragedy that happened on Saturday,” In’Airat said. “We are all trying to cope through this as a team, as a family.”
“Jordan was more than just a colleague to everybody,” In’Airat added, recalling how Junger was always the first to arrive and last to leave the shop — always with a smile on his face.
“He excelled at what he did. He loved what he did. It was his thing. His favourite thing was cars.”
Junger was working on a new tire before the tragic incident happened Saturday, according to In’Airat. He had installed the tire on a wheel and was inflating it when it ruptured, In’Airat said.
Ontario’s Ministry of Labour is investigating the incident. A spokesperson told CBC News in an email that the ministry cannot comment on its ongoing work.
Ottawa police said Wednesday they are no longer actively investigating because the incident is “not considered suspicious or to have any criminal elements.”
“It was definitely a freak accident,” In’Airat said. “Nothing would have prevented it, unfortunately.”
The owner of Kanata Wheels says Junger died in a ‘freak accident’ when a tire he was working on ruptured. (Francis Ferland/CBC)’Jordan will forever be remembered’
The day after Junger’s death, Kanata Wheels closed its doors to customers. It reopened Monday but operated at a limited capacity.
“The first thing we did was we cancelled all appointments. We had a few vehicles in the shop from Saturday … we had to finish those, release them back to their owners and stayed together for that day,” In’Airat said.
“The team did choose to come in in the morning … just be together, be with each other, for the support.”
Being back in the workplace hasn’t been easy, In’Airat said, especially for some employees who saw what happened to Junger.
People have been leaving flowers atop Junger’s car, which is still parked at the shop. (Francis Ferland/CBC)
Junger’s death has also struck a chord in the broader community. In’Airat said people have been showing up at the shop and leaving flowers in Junger’s memory atop his car, which is still parked at the property.
In’Airat said he’s been in touch with Junger’s mother and is working on setting up fundraisers, rallies and charity events in his former employee’s honour.
“Jordan will forever be remembered in our hearts,” he said. “His soul will always be around spiritually.”