Falling Slab Kills Woman

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Falling concrete slab kills woman at Montreal restaurant



A 33-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene after a slab of concrete fell onto her from the 18th floor of the Marriott Residence Inn on Peel St. in downtown Montreal, on Thursday, July 16, 2009.


It was supposed to be a quiet, romantic dinner for Lea Guilbeault and Hani Beitinjaneh, who were enjoying a summer evening at the Mikasa Sushi Bar on Peel St. in the heart of downtown Montreal.
Instead, Beitinjaneh was left shocked and horrified Thursday evening as a concrete slab fell from high above, crashing through the atrium window of the restaurant and falling on his 33-year-old wife, killing her instantly.
Police and paramedics rushed to the scene to treat Beitinjaneh, who suffered serious injuries to his right hand and was in a state of severe shock.
"I saw him getting in the ambulance and he was totally devastated. He was yelling at everybody and crying," witness Justine Lafond told CTV News.
Montreal Const. Olivier Lapointe said the Beitinjaneh's hand was crushed by the falling concrete.
"He may have lost a few fingers but he's in hospital in a stable state," said Lapointe.
"For us at this moment, it looks accidental. There was no one who played with the block of concrete trying to make it fall," Lapointe added.
The slab of concrete fell from the 18th floor of the Marriott Residence Inn, smashing through the ceiling of the enclosed glass section of the restaurant, located at street level.
"It hit the woman right on the head, and her head was smashed..." said Kali Subramanian, a witness who became emotional while describing what he saw.
"It's sad...it's a sad way to die. Somebody eating at a restaurant, and it happens like that."
Management at the Marriott Residence Inn declined comment Thursday night.
Peel St. remains closed Sherbrooke St. and De Maisonneuve Blvd.



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Woman killed by falling concrete identified

Cracks seen in Montreal hotel from which concrete slab fell


link to pics


A fireman looks up at the Marriott Residence Inn in front of Mikasa Sushi Bar on Peel St., where a panel of concrete crashed through the glass atrium roof of the restaurant, killing a woman and injuring her dining companion, on July 16, 2009. The woman's body is covered by pink blanket at left.


MONTREAL — A Montreal street remains blocked off Friday as police, engineers and building experts conduct an investigation of the Mariott Hotel following an incident Thursday in which a concrete slab fell off the building, killing a 33-year-old woman dining at a restaurant below.
Engineer Pierre Beaupre, who was on the scene Friday morning, said troublesome cracks are visible in other sections of the building and a thorough inspection is needed to ensure that this kind of incident doesn't occur again.
In an interview on LCN, Beaupre said he believes water infiltration could have corroded metal anchors attaching the concrete panel to the building, leading to the failure of the anchors. He also said other panels are showing signs of coming apart, something that is very worrisome.
Lea Guilbeault was apparently celebrating her birthday with her husband, Hani Beitinjaneh, who sustained serious injuries to his right hand.
The police would not say when they think the street will be reopened.
Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay issued a statement expressing his condolences to the family of the victim, as well as promising a complete investigation into what happened.