Construction Worker Dies in Tragic Accident

A construction worker suffered fatal injuries after being pinned between a beam and a lift on Friday, January 30.

About the Construction Accident

According to Belleville News-Democrat (BND), the victim was 33-year-old Patrick C. Wilda of Plainfield, IL. He was discovered around noon in the lift he’d been working in. The site’s location is 24500 block of Lorenzo Road in Wilmington.

Other workers attempted to perform CPR until Wilmington authorities arrived. Wilda was then taken to Presence Saint Joseph in Joliet, and was pronounced dead at 12:43 p.m.

An autopsy was performed by the Will County coroner Wednesday. The exact cause of death will be determined pending a thorough investigation.

Wilmington police, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Illinois State Police are also still investigating the incident. Wilda was employed by Area Erectors Inc. Fred C. Dames Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.

Construction’s “Fatal Four” Accidents Statistics

• Illinois has a high rate of construction worker injuries. It was estimated that 1 out of 25 workers were injured each year in the construction field, making it a high-risk occupation. Falls are responsible for 35% of construction fatalities.
• The second highest killer for workers was those struck by an object, which made up 10% of the fatalities. This could be equipment, fall debris or other objects sustaining fatal injuries on impact.
• Being struck by electricity makes up another 9%. With high voltage being used and the proximity to power lines, there is a constant danger of electrocution.
• The worker being crushed between objects or equipment is the last of the fatal four.