Man dies in trench collapse

by CYRYL JAKUBOWSKI

A city worker was fatally injured at about 1:10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, after a trench that he was working in collapsed at Sauganash and Keeler avenues, according to Chicago Fire Media Affairs and city Department of Water Management.

Department spokesman Gary Litherland said that the bricklayer was working on a sewer replacement project and suffered a fatal injury. The man was transported to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston and he was deceased on arrival, according to the fire department.

"We found him in the trench," fire media affairs director Larry Langford said. Langford said that the man suffered severe trauma in the accident. He said that the trench was not very deep.

The man was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Konrad Tucharski, age 40, of the 5600 block of West Melrose Street. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries due to industrial accident, the examiner said.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family for their loss," Litherland said. The work site has been closed until further notice, he said, The address of the accident was at 6019 N. Sauganash Ave., according to the examiner said

The cause of the accident is under investigation.