GRANT PARK — A contractor died Friday morning after suffering an injury at the site of NASCAR’s upcoming Chicago street race, NASCAR officials and police said.
Duane Tabinski, 53, died from electrocution, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office ruled Saturday. Tabinski was injured just before 11:30 a.m. in the 500 block of South Columbus Drive, which is near Buckingham Fountain, police said. He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Tabinski was working on set-up for this weekend’s events, according to a statement from his event production company, DUANE.
“The DUANE team is shocked and saddened to inform you of Duane Tabinski’s passing earlier today,” the company said on Twitter. “He was busy doing what he loved, providing a top-of-the-line audio experience for the enjoyment of others. A very giving and caring soul, Duane will be missed.”
The Sun-Times reported that Tabinski was a contracted audio specialist who had been hired by NASCAR to produce audio for pre-race celebrations. He was working in a high-voltage area when the incident occurred, according to the Sun-Times.
In a statement, NASCAR officials said Tabinski had 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,” the statement read.
The area where the incident occurred, near Buckingham Fountain, will be set up as a “fan plaza” for NASCAR ticket-holders this weekend.
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