Excerpts from cbsnews.com:

The family of a 27-year-old Elmwood Park man was grieving Tuesday, a day after the sewer repair worker was killed when the trench he was working in collapsed on top of him in Buffalo Grove.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation into the circumstances. Unfortunately, OSHA says the site did not appear to have the necessary safety precautions to keep the tragic accident Monday from happening.

Family said Zaremba became the co-owner of a company called Rooter Solutions, which is the company for which he was performing sewer repair work on Monday. he was one of three people working at the site of the excavation when it collapsed.

OSHA records show at least 20 workers nationwide have died in trench collapses since December 2020. Two of those cases were in Illinois, and one was in Indiana.

A GoFundMe created Tuesday afternoon says the family is in shock. It reads:

“It is with great sadness and disbelief that we announce the sudden and very unexpected passing of Nikodem Zaremba ‘Smerf’ at only 27 years old.

“Anyone who knew Nikodem knows what a hardworking, loving, and kind soul he was. He loved and cared deeply for everyone around him whether it was his family, friends, or co-workers. Family was the utmost importance to him, they were his primary motivation in all of his endeavors. To Niku? friends he was the fun-loving, adventurous goofball who always had your back. To his parents he was their first born son. To his brothers he was the oldest, a strong role model, and forever friend. To his fiancé he was her everything, best friend, soulmate, and future husband. He will be ever-loved.

“The family is understandably shocked by this loss and unfortunately not prepared for all that is happening at this time. During this time they will need help with funeral expenses, daily living expenses, mortgage, utilities, and all of the other necessities. The funds will help out tremendously.”

Zaremba’s company had no inspection history because it was just created in August of this year. Buffalo Grove said a permit was properly issued for this work back in November.

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