(Newswire.net — February 18, 2015) Boston, MA — A Boston resident has already died from an apparent shoveling-induced heart attack, while battering the piles of snow. Many more are taking serious risk by diving into snow piles and drifts. Mayor Martin J. Walsh, urged residents, to stay patient and wait for the snow cleaner service. This year, snowfall in Boston approaches the record made in 1996.
At a press conference, Walsh said Boston has had 7 1/2 feet of snow dumped on it since Jan. 23, and it is not finished as forecasts call for another 3 to 4 inches with a “potential significant storm coming next weekend.”
“[It’s] certainly not a record that we want,” Walsh said. “It looks like a record we can get.”
Walsh said until further notice. the city’s parking ban will remain in effect.
Walsh also said he understands many people are calling government agencies, fearing that they might be ‘forgotten’. He assured residents through media that street services are getting wherever they are needed. “We are going get to every street in the city of Boston,” Walsh said.
“It’s important that we stay focused and not let the frustration get the best of us as we move forward. I know a lot of people are just tired and don’t know what to do with this amount of snow. We’re in very unusual circumstances,” he said.
The mayor did not provide any additional details on the snow-related death. However, Walsh said he believed the person died yesterday and that it was “over shoveling.”
Walsh also warned fun loving residents to sustain of jumping out of the windows and off roofs into snow piles, calling it a “foolish thing to do.”
“You can kill yourself,” Walsh said. “I’m asking people to stop the nonsense … This isn’t Loon Mountain. This is the city of Boston.”
In addition, Walsh urged landlords and property owners to keep an eye on their roofs, and notify firefighting brigade if they notice any structural problems. The Boston Fire Department has a unit on hand in case of any major incidents, he said.
Walsh said the city has provided housing for about 500 homeless in the past three weeks.
“The residents of the city are very special. Just watching everyone help each other, that’s what I love seeing about the snow,” Walsh said. “But I know people are ready to move on, ready for the spring.”