‘He always made you laugh:’ Family mourns ironworker who fell from scaffolding

An ironworker who fell to his death at the site of the University of Chicago’s future cancer center was remembered Friday as an active, hard-working man who cherished the outdoors and the relationships he’d made.
WGN's Angelica Sanchez brings you the latest details in the story.
More info: wgntv.com/news/university-chi...
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[@toddferguson6369]

Good on his brother for being able to gather his thoughts and speak so kindly about him. Making someone laugh is a gift that lives on. Rest in peace brother

[@Chief_Ten_Bears]

I know man. I wouldn't be able to compose myself if I was in his shoes.

[@smajd86]

May David’s memory be a blessing. Sending light and love to all those who cared for him.

[@naturewalkchannel]

His brother spoke so eloquently about his character. We see he was a loving person. Im from Illinois and folks from the land of Lincoln are very kind. Soar high David...

[@HellsCanyonHermit]

RIP brother. Local 29 International Brotherhood of Ironworkers. Once an ironworker brother always a brother. We all mourn together for our fallen brothers and sisters.. Internationally

[@cryptotalkwithjaimeg8488]

Yessir people dont realize how dangerous our job is.. fellow brorher ironworker local#86 in the house🫡

[@CenturyHomeProject]

Well said.

[@Kerrycoleman-kt1oc]

Y'all be safe out there guys!! We don't want to hear about losing any more of y'all!! Appreciate everything each one of y'all do❤ love and respect to y'all ❤

[@lindasd7591]

Prayers for the bereaved loved ones

[@cuprunnethover2]

Oh my goodness! To fall 9 stories, I can't even imagine! My prayers are with the family

[@nitromartini1422]

I was a construction worker on a building that was over 40 stories tall, but the steel structure was already up. That was hairy enough, but the iron workers had the most dangerous job in the site. They are hanging on to bare I-beams without much of anything to tie off to.

[@fivecitydirttracker4776]

Sorry for your loss. May you find peace in this tragedy.

[@patty2079]

GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND BROTHER.🙏❤️

[@Chgo1221]

This was sad to hear may his hard work and dedication live on forever. Prayers to him and his family.🩵🦋🕊️🌹🛐

[@texasstar8836]

So very sorry for your loss, may David rest in the arms of the angels in our Father's house. 💔

[@gloriamcdonough987]

Amen🙏 Beautiful words of sympathy ❤️‍🩹 and strength for this young man who lost his life in such a tragic way💔❤️‍🩹😢😞👼 May God give this family some comfort and peace ☮️ to get through this difficult time🙏

[@JuanHernandez-ev4bb]

Angels don't have arms.

[@guynorth3277]

These are adults, not children

[@captainmoretokin2172]

One of my good friends from grade school all the way to high school was killed on a job site by a sledge hammer that was accidently kicked off the edge of the building from the 15th floor. the building was in the concrete stage like this building with the skips only and no sides or windows yet . It's tragic anytime something like this happens but when its a brother, or someone that's just like a brother like my good friend its really hard. It makes you think how precious life is more than if you just read about it. I know that pain the three brothers are feeling and send my condolences. God bless them and get them through this time of sorrow.

[@juliaweber212]

Ouch that would horrible I'm sorry for your friend loss these kinds of job's are dangerous always wear a hard hat and the brother right there needs to be more safety in surprised there was extra harness no attached to scaffolding

[@richardpauza2075]

Just Going To Work Should Never Get You Killed...😢

[@20alphabet]

Unless you're a corrupt politician or cop.

[@JuanHernandez-ev4bb]

​@@20alphabet Or you.

[@godisgood6834]

​@@20alphabetno even u own life is secure how u expect A job be secured

[@vortexhornet7518]

@@JuanHernandez-ev4bbor you.

[@ibnkhaldoun4319]

i mean hey they're paid well to deal with the risk. unfortunately it happens, dangerous jobs exist & need to be filled.

[@lyndakaye5198]

I am so sorry for your tragic loss. 😮

[@SamathaNLouisiana]

The number 1 thing construction companies instill is 100% tie-off. He was not properly tied off if a single disconnected scaffolding section led to no lanyard being connected.

[@jerryfitzhugh5198]

Absolutely correct.

[@nitromartini1422]

The problem is that a worker has to move from Point A to Point B, and it is not always possible to tie yourself to something when you are putting up the highest I-beam on the site.

[@flyingtigerline]

You weren't there, so you're just speculating.

[@williamdavid9272]

@@flyingtigerlinethat’s not speculating. That’s OSHA. I work at heights and what he said is correct

[@cryptotalkwithjaimeg8488]

​@flyingtigerline exactly!!! Im a union ironworker 19yrs even if yur 100% tied off u still can die being tied off is a false sense of security it mentally make u think u wont get hut so u can complete the task at hand yet the danger is very real and still there people assume yur tied off u won't t die or get hurt WRONG!!! sometimes being tied off is more a hazard than not.. i will ay bing toed off can prevent death or injury but its 50/50 change no one knows⁷

[@luannestrickland4199]

My condolences to his family!

[@codylaxton3287]

Sad. Rest in peace young man. God bless the men and women who build and maintain our infrastructure.

[@flyingtigerline]

I am very sorry for your loss.

[@June-tb4vi]

Prayers for this family ❤

[@cynthianoel6220]

Im so sorry for your loss.🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@charlenemack7040]

Rest In Paradis David 😇🙏💟✝️💟

[@Jane-West]

When I saw that picture of all the brothers, I felt a real pain. I cannot imagine the incredible loss this family has suffered. May he rest in peace, and may this family find strength and comfort in God and each other❤

[@aprilcitygirltocountrywife7440]

Prayers and condolences to his family and friends

[@timothylawson3262]

Sorry for your loss.

[@ikemachamer7904]

Prayers.

[@ianhenning2422]

Prayers for David and his Family 🙏♥️🙌

[@melz6019]

Prayers for all involved. 🙏🏻

[@michelleoliveira2853]

I’m so very sorry for your loss

[@meglyy]

Incredibly sad, RIP David.💔 It is interesting that they mentioned that his dad owns the company that employed him.

[@toddferguson6369]

Good catch. Kind of makes me wonder if the family is more worried about the legal issues. At least one brother spoke up on his behalf

[@jacquelinesage1283]

Adjustable Concrete- the concrete company who erected the scaffolding is to blame. David was called to the job site to survey. His dad’s company is not at fault nor connected other than his son was there doing a job Turner construction paid him to do. I can promise you legal issues are the least of their concern. They just lost their son to Turner and Adjustables negligence. It will all come out.

[@unclemoe6043]

RIP Young Buck. Condolences to the Family, God Bless.

[@kameronvangilst2157]

Beyond heartbreaking! So young and hardworking. Huge loss. Praying for his family.

[@michaelmacpherson-wm6mh]

Iron Workers and Elevator Constructors are the most dangerous jobs out there. between falls and something dropping on you you really have to be on your toes. all multi story constructions workers could die any day they go to work. 27 is too young to die

[@SecondClassCitizen]

No they aren't. It's logging and commercial fishing that are the two most dangerous jobs. Iron workers are like 9th on the list. The used to be up there but then OSHA came through and made a bunch of changes. Same as in lineman. At one point electrical line workers died 1:2. I just went through a class this week for work. All construction work is dangerous. It all starts with being honest with yourself.

[@jordansmith6060]

Building trades dummy

[@shanghunter7697]

@@SecondClassCitizen Def. second class

[@rramos3157]

Heartbreaking in such a tragic accident. This is happening to often. Yes change and safety is needed. My sincere condolences to the family.

[@SusanHarrell530]

So very sorry for your loss. Prayer for his family and friends.😢🙏🙏🙏

[@booleelaw]

I’m sorry for your loss brother… my condolences

[@user-yr1xe1co4s]

My condolences to the family and friends of David. So sorry for your loss

[@raybenoit5238]

Condolences 🙏

[@CenturyHomeProject]

what a wonderful group of brothers. So tragic that one of them left so soon. Sending up prayers for the family through these trying times. 🙏

[@user-jc8ud6xe9r]

My oldest grandson just turned 29. I can’t imagine what you are feeling right now. I know your hearts are broken and hurting. Our thoughts and prays are with you and your extended family and friends. PRAYING FOR PEACE AND COMFORT FOR ALL. GOD BLESS EVERYONE. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😇😇😇

[@SGalli-ff6nf]

I'm so sorry you lost your precious brother. may God heal your pain

[@maryramirez8088]

Prayers and comforting thoughts go out to the family and friends for their loss. Stay strong and may you all find peace love and laughter for each other during this time.

[@jmichael259]

So tragic n hurting to loose a family 😢 RIP David 🕊️🙏

[@hollienelson6738]

❤ and 🙏 to the family! Dad lost many iron worker buddies, and had a few close calls of his own. They do some amazing footwork up there to avoid going "in the hole".

[@MrDavidrex]

Prayers! Always the good, stay strong family 💔

[@tracyrodgers6622]

So sad,sorry for your loss.

[@JamesStover-gr3hw]

This is so sad. God bless the family

[@greenbeagle13]

Man, that is so, so sad... A good person taken. 😢😢💔💔

[@islajustus245]

I’m sorry He was beautiful

[@SeattleGirlMakesGood]

Safety first. Workplace safety meetings encouraged. RIP!

[@billconnelly4840]

My condolences , and prayers 🙏❤

[@michaelgriggs6903]

A fellow iron brother, may he rest in peace... Prayers for the family , you lost a good man. Hope they investigate this honestly, and may safety changes cone from this tragic death of a man who was to young for this to happen. We must take care of our younger generations who follow the footsteps of older generations. We must watch out for them, for they are the future. ✝🙏❤

[@lorim8070]

Sorry for your great loss. The Bible gives us hope that we will see our dead loved ones. The Bible teaches “I have hope toward God . . . that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.”​-ACTS 24:15.

[@haroldrobinson9436]

Peace Be with your Families 😇

[@Red-ct6wx]

My condolences to the family praying for peace and comfort. Praying for speedy recovery for the other gentleman. ✝️

[@22lyric]

I'm so sorry. David is a loss for all of us,! Praying for the injured And hopes for better safety for all our workers.

[@irisessex90]

My Dad was an ironworker and it’s a very dangerous job that they make look easy. I’m sorry for your loss. Condolences to the family and friends. 🙏

[@oscarpuente2029]

i worked scaffolding in Tyler Tx. it's a job you have to be aware of your surroundings. Rest easy brother.

[@goatslivesmatter2096]

Prayers to family 💔

[@jjdotj5028]

How devastating, prayers up for his family and friends. 🙏🏼

[@juanitalindsey9320]

My Condolences 🙏🙏🙏

[@kristenkern4247]

Very sad 😔 prayers for the family

[@diamoneglass2136]

Condolences 💐 🌺

[@NkNk-vg8fc]

Rip...Sorry for your lass❤💪🏿 Sending strength....,.

[@lindaya7927]

This is awful. His brother spoke so awesome in this time of his loss . Many prayers for him and the entire family in this time and for the survivor too ... 💐🌹🕊️🕊️🕊️

[@emekaume]

Rest in peace, dear brother.

[@godzillamanstreb524]

This happened to my grandfather in 1921 in NYC….RIP David🩶🩵

[@maryhollingsworth7874]

God bless you and your family

[@cheechalker8430]

Condolences to the entire O’Donnell family

[@my6732]

We lost a true Man in the horrible accident, my his family be watched over at this time of grief . This was an iron worker who are slowly becoming a dying breed. Rip young man 🇺🇲🧂

[@alexislee9763]

Condolences to the family friends and colleagues of this precious man. Love hugs kisses and prayers in the name of Jesus Christ...amen ❤

[@drawingmomentum]

Wow, sad. I remember seeing the workers in hong kong where the scaffolding is made of bamboo. Those workers would swing from one to another at over 20 stories high. Crazy!

[@JamesSmith-iy5nm]

My condolences to the family.

[@lucillecampanale8542]

So sorry!

[@GS-no5qz]

so so sorry

[@JasonSheppard-uy9ij]

Prayers for His Family Rip David

[@Godfirst9845]

My condolences

[@GYMSHIT]

RIP brother

[@veronicamcshane878]

This happened to my father, he was a foreman in IWU-377. He was on scaffolding two stories up when it collapsed because it had been manufactured improperly. He survived, and the IWU paid all of my dad’s medical expenses and backed my dad in a lawsuit against the scaffolding manufacturer. This happened in 1987, have safety standards within the IWU been updated *at all* since then if this is still happening???

[@cryptotalkwithjaimeg8488]

Rest in paradise brother gone but never forgotten sending love from a fellow brorher ironworker local#86 and i pray 🙏🏽God gives peace ,understanding in this time of mourning 😢people dont realize how dangerous being a ironworker really is ..its the 6th deadliest jobs in the WORLD we are literally building America 1 skyscraper at a time and we build America with a sense of pride 🇺🇲💪

[@Phar2Rekliss]

RIP Brother.

[@MattBuck777]

The men and women building this country need safer measures. I’m sorry for his family and friends.

[@sharlafalkner1442]

It is so sad to write any thing. Such a man that is not lazy at all. Just going to work and doing his job. This young David such a handsome man and a good man. I have learn in life not to ask why. My sister in a freak accident, so brutal just like David. I know without a doubt she was crying oh god. Oh god. Oh god. She had a smile on her face. Today June 8th it’s been 16 years and it’s like 16 seconds. I have cried all these years I loved her so just like David. I know David and her are in heaven. God bless all of you. No one will ever forget them.

[@dianaesparza1878]

RIP😭🙏🏼❤️tragic . Condolences to his family ❤🙏🏼

[@lolapalacios1654]

Such a tragedy. RIP 🙏

[@gregv123]

RIP 🙏 brother , may you be gods welder now 🙏

[@patriciaenoka145]

Praying ❤️🙏✝️

[@Tracyusa]

I say : all iron work is dangerous, little jobs to giant jobs. Pay attention cause money. Eating healthy, taking vitamins, and minerals helps you see the dangers. I've seen 20 ft sheets of roofing slide off the roof and if anybody would have been standing underground they would have been cut into and that was just 20 ft above the ground

[@CrystalNewsom-sh5wn]

It won't change a thing. My husband fell 79 feet to his death, when the scaffolding he was on brakes failed. I was 20 and 6 months pregnant. People still dieing 40 years later. My heart is broken for that family❤

[@ImAskinGOD44givenessHowAboutU]

Well i don't consider my family family so if you want another brother I'm here. GOD bless you

[@irongirl8007]

RIP ♥️🙏🏼

[@firecontrol22]

So tragic. Condolences to David's family and friends. Rest in peace David. May the Lord take you into heaven.

[@omarraymundo7475]

Blue collar men get no respect may he rest in peace died working trying to provide for his family God be with him !!!🙏🫡

[@lotto88lot]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻RIP

[@janaskibo871]

Oh No. I'm so sorry 😞

[@chrismiller6360]

RIP MY FRIEND

[@alexglanz7406]

Construction is dangerous. He was a hero, as are all scaffolding workers. So sorry for this tragic accident

[@pamparker4047]

OSHA needs to get investigated

[@JulieVerma-ji9fi]

Rest in peace

[@RichardPeterson-de2fh]

He had a choice to wear a harness , I’d think. What change will stop high winds. We do here in Ny. No changes will fix high winds.

[@Gitn2it]

This is a very sad story. My heart goes out to David's family during this extremely difficult time, and I pray that the other man who fell will recover. Until all the facts come in, we don't know if this accident was negligence on the part of the construction company or the workers.

[@myrnaa8082]

🙏🏾

[@dalpoas83]

Rip 🙏 🙏🙏