The community of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, is in mourning following the death of a young Walmart employee in a tragic accident that occurred last Saturday night. The 19-year-old, who worked in the bakery department of the store, became trapped inside an industrial oven, resulting in her death at the scene.
Here are the details of the case that has shocked the region and initiated a thorough investigation by local authorities.
1. What happened at Walmart Halifax?
The accident took place on the evening of Saturday, October 19, when the young woman, identified as Gursimran Kaur, became trapped inside an industrial oven in the bakery at the Walmart located on Mumford Road in Halifax. According to the emergency report, first responders received an alarming call stating that an employee was trapped in the oven, which was still on. Despite the staff’s efforts to turn off the oven and rescue her, by the time emergency services arrived, the young woman had already passed away.
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2. Ongoing investigation
The Halifax Regional Police, in collaboration with the Occupational Health and Safety Division and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service, are conducting an investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to this tragic event. So far, the investigation has been described as “complex,” according to Officer Martin Cromwell. No conclusive details have yet been provided regarding the specific cause of death, and the duration of the investigation remains uncertain. Authorities have requested patience from the public as the inquiry continues, emphasizing the emotional impact this event has had on the victim’s family and coworkers.
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3. Impact on the community
Gursimran Kaur emigrated to Canada approximately three years ago, seeking a better future. She and her mother worked together on the same shift at the Walmart store. The Sikh community in Halifax, to which Gursimran and her family belonged, has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the young woman. The local Sikh society has been supporting Kaur’s mother, who was the first to try to locate her daughter after not seeing her for over an hour at work.
The community has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the family, which has raised over $104,000 to date.
4. Walmart’s response
Walmart Canada issued a statement expressing their “deep sorrow” over the loss of their employee. “Our sincerest thoughts are with our associate’s family during this difficult time,” the company declared. Additionally, Walmart has provided access to 24/7 virtual care services and offered on-site support, including grief counseling for Kaur’s coworkers.
The Halifax store remains temporarily closed while authorities continue the investigation, and a stop-work order has been placed on the Walmart bakery and one piece of equipment involved in the accident.
5. What we know so far
Authorities have indicated that the investigation will be prolonged due to the nature of the incident and the multiple agencies involved. The Occupational Health and Safety Division, the Medical Examiner Service, and the Halifax Regional Police are working together to clarify both the cause and the circumstances surrounding Gursimran Kaur’s death. While some details have been made public, many aspects of the case, such as the condition of the oven and safety procedures, remain under analysis.
