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County worker dies, 3 firefighters injured when sidewalk collapses in Lake Mary neighborhood

LAKE MARY, Fla. — A county worker died and three firefighters were injured Friday when a sidewalk collapsed in a Lake Mary subdivision, the Seminole County Fire Department said.

Firefighters said the sidewalk collapsed on Chiswell Place near Markham Woods Road and West Lake Mary Boulevard.

Photos: County worker dies, 3 firefighters injured after sidewalk collapses in Lake Mary, officials say

Officials said a county Environmental Services Department worker was working on a water main leak beneath the sidewalk when the sidewalk collapsed on him.

Firefighters arrived to the scene and deployed jaws of life to try to save Tomasz Sajkowski, but the worker died.

WATCH LIVE: 1 person dead, 3 firefighters injured in 'incident' in Lake Mary

WATCH LIVE: 1 person dead, 3 firefighters injured in "incident" in Lake Mary. Read: at.wftv.com/31AjMsP

Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Friday, August 28, 2020

Officials said the hole then became electrically energized and shocked three firefighters due to the hole being next to an electrical transformer. The firefighters are expected to make a fully recovery.

The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners provided Channel 9 with the following statement:

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“Tomasz has been part of the Seminole County team since November 2019. He was an experienced utilities professional, a valued team member, and above all, a dedicated husband and father of two beautiful children. Our most heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers are extended to the Sajkowski family and friends.

The loss of Tomasz has deeply effected his co-workers, as well. The Board of County Commissioners has made arrangements for counselors to assist employees as they grieve Tomasz’s passing.

The Board also wishes to recognize the valiant efforts of the Seminole County Fire Department fire fighters who attempted to rescue Tomasz.”

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates.

Katlyn Brieskorn, WFTV.com

Katlyn Brieskorn is a Digital Assignment Editor at WFTV. She joined Channel 9 in July 2019.

Jason Kelly

Jason Kelly, WFTV.com

Jason Kelly joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2014. He serves as the station's Digital Executive Producer.

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