CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – More details are emerging regarding the death of a contractor working on NASCAR set up in Grant Park.
Duane Earl Tabinski, 53, of Tennessee, suffered an injury around 11:30 a.m. in the 500 block of South Columbus -- which is near Buckingham Fountain -- and was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago police said.
A NASCAR official issued a brief statement and called the incident, involving a contractor, a “medical emergency.”
“We are coordinating with local authorities on this tragic incident. We share our condolences to the family and their loved ones,” the NASCAR official said.
A witness told police he was carrying wood to help set up the event when he heard Tabinski, of Hermitage, Tennessee, groan, according to a police report. When the witness checked on Tabinski, he spotted him “slumped over,” and was about to render aid when another worker stopped him because Tabinski was in a “padlock” area, with a high voltage of electricity circulating.
After the electricity was “diffused,” paramedics were able to treat him and take him by ambulance to the hospital.
Tabinski was hired by Nascar to set up audio for the pre-race celebrations, according to the report.
An autopsy was scheduled for later Saturday, officials said.
The Street Race is slated for Saturday and Sunday. Racing officials say they have contingency plans in place in the event of volatile weather.
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