A contractor has died after he was accidentally electrocuted while setting up for NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race.
According to multiple reports, a contractor working on setting up Sunday’s Grant Park 220 street race in Chicago died when he was electrocuted on Friday. The victim has been identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, as relayed by ABC News, as Duane Tabinski.
Police revealed a 53-year-old man had suffered an injury in the 500 block of South Columbus Drive near Buckingham Fountain and the stands for the race. He was swiftly taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The medical examiner’s officer went on to state that the cause of his death was accidental contact with electric wires’ while its as also ruled an accident. NASCAR released a statement following the horrible incident, which read: “On Friday afternoon, a contractor suffered a fatal medical emergency.
“We are coordinating with local authorities on this tragic incident. We share our condolences to the family and their loved ones.”
According to the company’s website, Tabinski was the founder of DUANE, a design, staging, and lighting firm. The company has also staged events for some of the biggest names in music – including Bob Dylan and Katy Perry – as well as other corporate events.
Tabinski had been hired by NASCAR to produce audio for pre-race celebrations. A witness heard him groan and found him ‘slumped over’, according to a Chicago police report and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The witness reportedly went to help, but someone stopped him because Tabinski was in a ‘padlock’ area, so high-voltage electricity was circulating.
The police report revealed paramedics were unable to treat Tabinski until the danger was ‘diffused’. Tabinski had founded his audio production company after bouncing around work in driving trucks, logging, running a restaurant and working as a DJ.
He committed to audio engineering in 2006. Tabinski leaves behind wife Kristin, who revealed the pair would travel to see friends and family when he wasn’t working. In an email to the Chicago Sun-Times, Kristin said: “We are overwhelmingly devastated by the loss of Duane. He was so excited to help fans ‘feel’ the action and his crew is going to ensure that the show will go on this weekend.
“His ability to mix audio was exceptional and his talent made so many shows, festivals and events so enjoyable for everyone. He had the best ear in the business.” She added: “He was the most amazing human being who ever existed. He was perfect for me.”
