Worker dies from injuries at Vernon Hills mall

Article updated: 12/27/2013 5:26 PM

Demolition crew member Patrick J. O'Reilly died after concrete fell on him and two colleagues Thursday night while they worked outside Westfield Hawthorn shopping center in Vernon Hills, authorities said. O'Reilly and the others were working for Wheeling-based P.S. Demolition Inc. at the mall's southwest entrance, where Maggiano's Little Italy is replacing Ruby Tuesday.

Paul Valade | Staff Photographer

A man working as part of a demolition crew died hours after he was hit by concrete falling from a facade at Westfield Hawthorn shopping center in Vernon Hills, authorities said.

Lake County Coroner Thomas Rudd said Patrick J. O'Reilly, 25, of Palos Park, died from multiple crush injuries Friday morning at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. O'Reilly suffered a crushed pelvis and internal bleeding in the late Thursday mishap, he said.

Vernon Hills police said O'Reilly and two co-workers were showered with concrete outside the former Ruby Tuesday restaurant. Late-night work has been occurring at the mall for extensive renovations.

Rescue personnel from the Countryside Fire Protection District were summoned at 11 p.m. and arrived in roughly three minutes, Deputy Chief Chuck Smith said. Ambulances brought O'Reilly and another worker, who sustained minor injuries, to nearby Condell.

In a statement, Vernon Hills Village Manager Michael Allison conveyed condolences and prayers to O'Reilly's family.

"At this point there is no indication that this is (anything) other than a tragic accident," Allison said.

Police said an initial investigation shows the demolition crew had been removing an outer layer of brick from an exterior wall of the mall when the concrete pieces fell from the roof line. Several sections of concrete struck the three workers at the construction site where Maggiano's Little Italy is replacing Ruby Tuesday at the mall's southwest entrance.

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Worker dies from injuries at Vernon Hills mall