An immigrant and breadwinner was killed in an accident at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport Sunday afternoon, The American Bazaar reports.
Indian American Jijo George, an employee for Envoy Air, was crushed to death at the airline’s ground equipment shop, Chicago Sun Times reports. He succumbed to his injuries at the Resurrection Medical Center. George was 35.
George came from India’s Kerala state 17 years ago. According to The American Bazaar, he was the main provider for his family. He and his wife shared a 2-year-old child and were expecting another.
“He was taking care of everyone,” Blesson George, Jijo George’s cousin, said. “They lost the person who had been taking care of them. They’re all crying. … Life was about to get better for him, and that’s when this happened to him.”
The family also received little to no information regarding George’s death from Envoy Air, Blesson George said. According to Chicago Sun Times, Envoy Air’s safety organization is currently investigating the accident.
“We were in the dark for hours after this tragedy. We tried to reach these people for 24 hours, and no one picked up the phone,” Blesson George said, Chicago Sun Times reports. “Finally, they flew eight or nine people to investigate this matter. The company isn’t ready to tell us what really happened.”
According to The American Bazaar, community organizer Nisha Eric set up a GoFundMe page for the family. Eric works with Chicago’s Indian American community.
“It’s a tragedy,” Eric said. “It’s important for us to extend a helping hand to his family.”
Currently, the GoFundMe page has raised nearly $95,000 out of its $100,000 goal.
“[George] worked hard to build a life, not just for himself, but for the family,” the page reads. “Unfortunately, Jijo didn’t have any life insurance from his employer or from his union. The family is devastated at the loss of their beloved and cherished father, husband, son, and brother.”
You can donate to George’s GoFundMe page here.
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