Lots of sorrow as there is no tomorrow for Brett Morrow of Gurnee, Illinois
Intro
Laborer at Benchmark Construction
Former Bagger at Woodman's - Kenosha, WI
Studied Fire and Safety at Eastern Kentucky University
Went to St. Joseph High School
Went to St. Joseph's catholic acadamy
Lives in Gurnee, Illinois
From Gurnee, Illinois
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death of a man who was trapped in a sewer pipe in Streamwood on Wednesday, officials said.
The man, 22-year-old Brett Morrow of Gurnee, was installing a liner to prevent leaks when he got stuck in the 24-inch-diameter horizontal pipe, Streamwood Fire Chief Chris Clark said. Morrow was able to communicate with fellow workers at first, but was unresponsive when firefighters arrived about 6:18 p.m., Clark said.
Morrow was roughly 25 feet into the pipe, and rescuers were unable to reach him immediately because the liner had crumpled and hardened, blocking the way, Clark said. Specialists in confined space rescue had to cut away the liner in order to pull Morrow out, finally succeeding after 10 p.m.
“We were certainly hopeful that he would be viable,” Clark said. “We operated as if it would be a rescue the entire time. It wasn’t until we had him removed that we were able to determine he was deceased.”
A spokeswoman for the Cook County medical examiner’s office said the cause of Morrow’s death was pending further study.
Streamwood village manager Sharon Caddigan said the project, intended to extend the life of the town’s sewer pipes, has been going on for several weeks. The contractor on the job is Benchmark Construction of Bartlett, which was under contract for $527,150, Caddigan said. The company did not immediately return a call for comment.
OHSA records show that Benchmark has been fined for the violation of several safety regulations since 2008, including standards dealing with respiratory protection, protective systems, aerial lifts and excavation requirements.
OSHA spokesman Scott Allen said the agency’s investigation could take up to six months.
“OSHA does have compliance officers at the scene, interviewing witnesses, talking to the employer and looking over safety records, trying to find out whether they were following proper procedures,” he said.
Morrow’s family was not immediately available for comment.
His teammates on the Kenosha Mammoths Rugby Football Club in Wisconsin were shocked and saddened by the news of the accident. They offered condolences and tributes, describing how nice Morrow was and how tough he was on the playing field.
“Brett was one of the best kids I've ever met. Always smiling and having a great time,” fellow rugby player Ryan Joseph said in an email. “He took a big part in my life and mentored my little brother. Truly one of my best friends. He loved what he did, his job, his friends, playing rugby. A truly wonderful person.”
Joseph said he met Morrow when they both attended St. Joseph Catholic Academy in Kenosha and played on the football team together.
“So many great memories through our eight years of friendship from rugby to wrestling to having epic nights going out or just chilling in one of our basements,” Joseph said, “He was a loving son, caring brother and a truly amazing friend.”
He said his friend enjoyed fishing and “the kid was tough as nails.”
Another rugby player who messaged through Facebook, Joseph Giorno, said Morrow was truly a great guy.
“I first met Brett when he started playing with the Kenosha Vultures Rugby Club," Giorno said.
The Vultures was started in 2006 to bring high school rugby to the Kenosha area, according to its website.
“He was one of the most underrated rugby players I've had the pleasure of playing with,” Giorno said. “Most people looked at his slim stature and underestimated his ability. He swiftly proved them wrong by being one of the most tenacious players to come through Kenosha rugby.”
“On and off the field, Brett was always in good spirits and everyone loved him,” he said.
Cherney and Keilman are Tribune reporters. Abderholden is a reporter for the News-Sun.