Parks Worker Killed in Illinois Lawn Mower Accident
Tinley Park police are investigating a fatal lawn mower accident that happened on Tuesday morning in unincorporated Frankfort Square, Ill.
About the Fatal Lawn Mower Accident
Deputy Police Chief Lorelei Mason told reporters from the Chicago Sun Times the accident happened at 12:45 at Union Creek Park. The park is located near 80th Avenue and Mary Drew Parkway.
An employee for the park district, identified as Francis Licka, 19, was mowing the grass in the park when his mower tipped over. Licka sustained multiple injuries in the incident and was taken to Franciscan St. James Health in Olympia Fields, Ill. where he died shortly after.
According to authorities, there were other employees mowing the grass when the accident occurred, but it was unclear if they were near Licka when his mower tipped.
The accident is under investigation by the Tinley Park police as well as the Illinois Department of Labor.
Lawn Mower Injury Statistics
According to the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA), lawn mowers are a leading cause of amputations for children under 10. In fact, more than 600 children each year undergo lawn mower-related amputations each year. Additionally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates more than 200,000 people injured each year by lawn mowers, including 16,000 children under the age of 19.
