Construction worker dies after falling off roof in Palatine

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:00]Palatine police and OSHA investigating after a 40-year-old roofer fell five stories to his death. Just an unfortunate accident.

[00:00:08]>> Late this afternoon, tragedy struck at the Groves of Palatine, a 20-year-old upscale condominium complex undergoing roof work. A 40-year-old worker died after falling more than five stories. I saw the the rope whip in the air. I saw him halfway down. I mean, it was it was just in a matter of seconds. Palatine police and fire responded within minutes and worked on the unresponsive laborer.

[00:00:31]He was pronounced dead at the scene.

[00:00:33]There was a rope, but I don't know if he didn't latch it on right. I'm not sure.

[00:00:37]I don't know. We talked to other members of the crew, including the brother of the deceased, who said through watery eyes that the team was proud to work together on this complex. And now police tape surrounds what was a busy construction site. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be investigating this accident to determine indeed if it was an accident and whether it could have been prevented.