Construction worker dies at Geneva Commons

SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE - A construction worker died on Friday while working on a tower sign in west suburban Geneva, according to authorities.

Firefighters responded at 11:48 a.m. and found two construction workers at the top of the central bell tower at Geneva Commons, an open air shopping center at 602 Commons Drive, authorities said.

Firefighters found one conscious man and 47-year-old Donald J. Tentler who was unconscious, according to statements from the Kane County coroner’s office, Geneva police and fire department.

Tentler, of West Dundee, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other man was assisted by firefighters down an aerial ladder. The rescue took three hours and no other injuries were reported.

An autopsy found Tentler’s cause of death to be “compressional asphyxia due to mechanical compression of the neck,” according to the Kane County coroner’s office. Toxicology results were pending.

OSHA has opened an investigation into the death.