Flossmoor officials announced Tuesday morning, Feb. 8, that a worker injured the previous day at a construction site on the Homewood-Flossmoor High School campus on Monday has died.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Ronald P. Simonson, 63, of Vernon Hills was pronounced dead at 11:58 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7.
Flossmoor police and fire units responded to the school at 999 Kedzie Ave. at about 11:10 a.m. Monday. Simonson was transported to Advocate South Suburban Hospital at 17800 S. Kedzie Ave. in Hazel Crest.
The accident occurred at the site of the construction of a new science wing on the school’s South Building campus. The site is only accessible to construction crews; there is no danger to students or staff, village officials said.
“The Flossmoor Fire Department would like to thank the Homewood and Hazel Crest Fire Departments for their assistance during this tragic event,” village officials said in a statement.
Investigations into the accident are expected to take place by an independent inspection company as well as OSHA.
Ed Wright with DLA Architects said the next steps might depend on the results of the initial investigation.
“The project site is shut down for at least today so OSHA can perform an investigation,” he said.
William T. Birck, Reed Construction president and chief executive officer, released a statement Tuesday about the incident.
“Yesterday, an individual employed by one of our subcontractors suffered a fatal, tragic accident while working on a job site at Homewood-Flossmoor High School,” Birck said. “We are deeply saddened by the loss and are fully cooperating with authorities to investigate. Our thoughts are with Mr. Simonson’s family, loved ones, and coworkers during this difficult time.”
Homewood-Flossmoor School District 233 Superintendent Scott Wakeley also issued a statement Tuesday expressing condolences to Simonson’s family and coworkers.
“Our hearts go out to them as they cope with this loss,” Wakeley said. “It is in difficult times like this that the HF family comes together to support each other.”
He noted that the construction site is accessible only to workers, so there was no danger to students or staff.
“While there was very limited opportunity for students or staff to have seen the accident based on its location at the construction site, the school’s Counseling Department is prepared to speak with any students or staff members who are experiencing reactions.” he said.