A young girl was critically injured after falling from an 11th-floor balcony at an apartment complex in the 1500 block of Alta Vista Drive on Saturday morning. Ottawa Paramedic Service commander Kevin Montgomery confirmed the incident occurred after emergency crews were dispatched to the scene at 11:22 a.m. The child was assessed by paramedics on-site before being transported to the emergency department at CHEO.
There have been several children injured in falls from Ottawa buildings since the beginning of the year, including a June incident in Stittsville and a fatal fall from an apartment window near the University of Ottawa in April.
Eyewitness accounts of the incident
Witnesses at the complex described the event as traumatic. Halima Begum, who was on her own balcony at the time, reported seeing the child on a chair shortly before she fell. A man walking his dog reached the child first, according to Begum, who noted that while the girl was breathing, she was unable to move.
Showaib Chowdhury, a resident in a different part of the complex, also witnessed the fall. Chowdhury stated he saw two children playing on a balcony before one fell. “It was pretty shocking,” he said, noting that as a parent of a toddler, he frequently worries about balcony safety.
Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr said she believes more needs to be done to protect against similar tragedies, including having conversations with building owners and educating tenants about building safety.
What happens next regarding safety measures?
Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr has called the incident an “absolute tragedy” and indicated that a shift in approach is necessary to prevent similar occurrences. Carr stated she believes the city must engage in further conversations with building owners to improve safety standards.
Future efforts are likely to focus on the intersection of building policy and tenant education. A possible next step could involve enhanced communication campaigns aimed at residents regarding the hazards of furniture on balconies and the inherent risks of high-rise living for families with young children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the fall occur?
The child fell from an 11th-floor balcony at a building located in the 1500 block of Alta Vista Drive.
What is the current condition of the child?
The child was critically injured following the fall and was transported to CHEO’s emergency department for treatment.
Have there been other similar incidents in Ottawa recently?
Yes, there have been several reports of children falling from buildings in Ottawa this year, including an incident in Stittsville in June and a fatal fall near the University of Ottawa in April.
How can building managers and tenants better collaborate to ensure balcony safety in high-rise apartments?
