Mechanic Crushed To Death By Airplane Equipment: Medical Examiner

CHICAGO — A 35-year-old airline mechanic was killed Sunday when he was crushed by airplane equipment while working at O’Hare International Airport, according to an autopsy conducted by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday.

Jijo George, of Des Plaines, died of multiple injuries after being crushed by “aircraft drivable pushback apparatus,” the medical examiner said in a report. According to reports, Chicago Police were called to the airport at 2 p.m. for a report of a man who was found unresponsive underneath the vehicle at hangar 764.

According to police, George was taken to Resurrection Medical Center, where he died at 3:50 p.m. The autopsy ruled his death an accident, according to the medical examiner.

According to a Go Fund Me effort started to help out George's family, George's wife, Annie, is expecting the couple's child probably in the next month. As of Tuesday, the effort had raised more than $22,000 toward the $50,000 goal that has been set to assist with expenses following Sunday's accident.

The Sun-Times reported Monday that George worked as a maintenance mechanic for Envoy Air and died while working at a building at 11601 W. Touhy Ave., according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The man’s death is being investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which will have up to six months to issue workplace safety citations, according to the Sun-Times.