Palos Park Man Killed by Falling Concrete at Hawthorn Mall Construction Site

A 25-year-old Palos Park man was killed by falling concrete Thursday night at the site of a future restaurant at Hawthorn Mall.

Patrick O’Reilly was part of a demolition crew that was removing an outer layer of brick from an exterior wall of the structure when concrete pieces fell from the top of the wall, Vernon Hills Police said.

Police were called at about 11 p.m. Thursday. Three members of the crew were struck by falling concrete. The restaurant site is adjacent to the southwest entrance to the mall.

Two of the men hit by concrete were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center for injuries.

"At this point there is no indication that this is other than a tragic accident," said Michael Allison, Vernon Hills Village Manager. "Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to the family of the deceased."

OSHA has been notified and is investigating the incident. 

The Chicago Tribune reports that O'Reilly was a graduate of Stagg High School and the University of Illinois and grew up in Palos Park. 

-By Brian Slupski