A veteran TTC employee who was fatally struck by a work train early Friday morning is being described by transit officials as a family man and a respected and capable worker.
An investigation continues into the incident that killed 49-year-old Peter Pavlovski and sent two other employees to hospital.
Pavlovski died in hospital after he and a second worker were struck by the train north of Yorkdale Station at around 4:45 a.m.
Pavlovski's co-worker was released from hospital after he was treated for non-life-threatening head injuries, while the employee who was driving the train remained in hospital Friday night after suffering extreme shock and chest pains.
"He is completely devastated by the incident," TTC CEO Andy Byford told reporters at an afternoon news conference.
The TTC had suspended service between Downsview and Lawrence West stations for the entire morning and though officials said the service would likely remain suspended until the afternoon traffic rush, all subway lines were reopened shortly after 1 p.m.
On Friday morning Byford first addressed the media accompanied by TTC union leader Bob Kinnear, a man whom he often sparred with publicly over labour issues.
He commended Kinnear for his leadership and said the TTC family was united in their grief.
'This is obviously a terrible accident," Byford said. "We are in complete shock about this. Our key priority is finding out what happened and taking care of the families.
"Our focus is making sure their family is comforted at a time that must be completely devastated to them," he added.
Pavlovski was a road master -- a subway track and tunnel foreman. He leaves behind a wife and three children - a 13-year-old daughter and eight-year-old twins.
When asked what led to the fatal collision, Kinnear told reporters it was too early to speculate.
"I think it's important we do not speculate and that we allow authorities to conduct an investigation," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the member that passed on as well as other members involved in the tragic accident."
TTC employees were reeling after learning of their co-worker's death.
“My thoughts go out to the family. It’s just a real sad day,” TTC employee Frank Giustini said.
Several city officials including TTC Chair Karen Stintz, Mayor Rob Ford and a number of councillors sent messages of condolence.
A customer service town hall meeting that was supposed to be held in Etobicoke tonight has been cancelled out of respect for the victims.
Byford said the TTC would be working closely with the Ministry of Labour to determine how the collision happened and how it could have been prevented.
With files from CTV Toronto's Naomi Parness
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