Gabriel Cabral suffered burns to approximately 70% of his body
A funeral was held last week for Gabriel Cabral, a 32-year-old sheet metal worker at Stelco's Lake Erie Works, who died on May 16, about three weeks after a workplace incident.
Known for leading a vibrant life, Cabral would begin his day with an early morning gym session before heading to work in Nanticoke, Norfolk County. After a physically demanding day, he would unwind by fishing at his favorite spots on the Grand River. Cabral’s family recalls his dedication to his passions, with his brother Shane recounting their early morning gym routines.
Shane tells CBC News, "I would be so tired, and he would be just telling me to hurry up and already on his way out before I was halfway done."
Cabral’s mother, Pam Fraser, expressed concerns about his safety at work, but Gabriel assured her that he took precautions and looked out for others. Fraser stated, "He wasn't afraid to call people out... He wasn't afraid to say 'no'."
On April 25, Cabral suffered severe burns that damaged approximately 70% of his body. Despite a three-week fight for his life at Sunnybrook Hospital, the young man passed away on May 16. His funeral took place on May 24 at Bay Gardens on the Hamilton Mountain.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is currently investigating the incident and has issued corrective orders to both Stelco and John Kenyon Ltd., the sheet metal contractor employing Cabral. Regarding the incident, Shane refrains from making assumptions but finds it difficult to accept that his brother went to work and never returned, saying, "I know that it shouldn't have happened."
The ministry confirmed two workers, Cabral and his colleague Sean MacPherson, were burned by steam while repairing steel cladding on a quench tower at Stelco in Nanticoke. The ministry expressed condolences to Gabriel's family, friends, and colleagues.
The family, consisting of Fraser, Shane, Matt, and Cabral’s girlfriend Sarah, along with numerous friends, is devastated by the loss. They were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support at Cabral’s funeral. Shane described the emotional scene, saying, "turning the corner, when we were walking into the chapel, it was just like a wall of people."
Reflecting on the past month, Matt described it as a "roller coaster" as they initially feared Cabral would not survive, then gained hope as he exceeded expectations.
They had begun discussing plans for his rehabilitation upon his release from the hospital. However, the family now finds themselves grappling with grief and navigating unfamiliar ministry and Workers Safety and Insurance Board procedures. They are seeking guidance but feel lost in the process.
Fraser admitted to feeling numb, while Shane likened their situation to being transported to a different reality where Gabriel no longer exists. He says, "it feels like we switched our reality... Now we're just floating somewhere before we get back to real life."
