August 03, 2007

Physical plant worker dies during shift

by Tom Woolf

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A member of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Plant and Service Operations staff died Thursday night (Aug. 2) while at work.

Pat L. Fletcher, 47, of Thompsonville, died of natural causes. Co-workers called SIUC’s Department of Public Safety at 10:17 p.m., after finding Fletcher unresponsive outside of a construction trailer adjacent to U.S. Highway 51 near the physical plant. Co-workers, who administered CPR, told officers he had been complaining earlier of chest pains. Efforts to revive him continued at the scene and en route to the hospital.

Fletcher, who was a stationary engineer, worked for Plant and Service Operations for 11 years. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, two grown children, Jessica and Jeremy, and two grandchildren.