An Elmwood Park man died after being pulled from a trench Monday evening in Buffalo Grove, and officials said a federal agency is investigating the incident.
The man has been identified by the Cook County medical examiner’s office as Nikodem Zaremba, 27, of the 2400 block of North 78th Avenue in Elmwood Park.
According to a Buffalo Grove Fire Department news release, the department responded around 5:30 p.m. Monday to a report of someone trapped in a hole in the front yard of a home in the 1000 block of Aspen Drive.
“It was reported that the patient was buried and not breathing,” according to the release.
Upon arrival, fire officials on scene confirmed the information and requested technical rescue team assistance from neighboring communities via the emergency responder Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, the release states. A total of 17 fire departments collectively provided 62 responders to assist in the rescue.
“Technical rescue specialists worked feverishly to uncover and remove the patient from the collapse,” officials said in the release.
Zaremba was removed from the hole at 6:35 p.m. and transported to Northwest Community Hospital, fire officials said in the release.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to authorities and his family.
According to officials, on Nov. 29, the village had issued a permit for sewer repair for the property. Rooter Solutions, which Zaremba reportedly co-owned with a relative, was hired to do the repair work.
Buffalo Grove officials acknowledge Tuesday afternoon that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration — which is part of the U.S. Dept. of Labor — is investigating the cause of the accident.
“On behalf of the Fire Department and the entire Village of Buffalo Grove, I offer my sincere condolences to
the family and friends of the Mr. Zarembra,” said fire Chief Mike Baker.
