Mother who fought for change after son’s tragic death dies in ‘freak accident’
An Ohio woman who became a safety advocate after her son was killed eight years ago in a trench collapse just died from a fire pit accident in her backyard, authorities said.
Authorities responded to a Warren County home on the night of Monday, March 10, after reports of an out-of-control blaze, according to CBS affiliate WKRC, Fox affiliate WXIX and NBC affiliate WLWT.
A neighbour told police he heard the sound of an explosion and found the victim, Cindy Hess, 58, before calling 911.
“I’m just a neighbour down the street,” the neighbour told a dispatcher, WXIX reported.
“Black smoke. There’s a lady. She’s burned very, very severe. She’s in the backyard.”
Hess was taken to the hospital with burns covering over 90% of her body, according to WKRC.
She later succumbed to her injuries the following day, according to the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, WXIX added.
Deerfield Township Fire Capt. Patrick Strausbaugh confirmed to PEOPLE on Friday, March 14, that the blaze started from a fire pit located in Hess’s backyard.
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He added that no foul play was suspected, and the investigation was still active.
“It’s looking more like just a tragic turn of events,” Strausbaugh told WKRC.
The fire captain also said Hess’s neighbour sustained burns trying to help the woman, WXIX reported, adding that the neighbour was treated on the scene and didn’t require hospitalization.
Hess was described as “a strong, intelligent and goal bound woman. When she set her mind to something, she followed through to the fullest of her abilities,” according to her obituary.
Hess’s 25-year-old son Zachary was killed in a trench collapse in 2017 while working with a colleague to find a sewer tap in a Morrow subdivision, WLWT reported.
That experience galvanized Hess to call for stricter safety regulations.
“I feel like I owe him that,” the mom told the outlet in 2018. “I don’t want him to be a statistic. I don’t want his death to be in vain.”
Her obituary also pointed to her advocacy work, saying she “devoted endless hours to being an advocate for trench safety and workers in memory of her son, Zachary.”
Hess is survived by her daughter, mother, and brother, according to her obituary. Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 19.
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