Crane malfunction cause of Carol Stream man's death in Campton Hills

A Carol Stream man killed Friday while cutting down trees in Campton Hills died when the crane he was operating malfunctioned and fell on him, authorities said Monday.

Because of the equipment's instability, Jeffrey MacNeal Gring, 54, remained trapped for nearly eight hours before rescuers could safely remove his body, the Kane County Coroner's Office said.

The accident happened as Gring's family business, JMG Tree Company, was removing several large trees from a property at 4N969 W. Mary Drive. Authorities said the crane Gring was operating broke loose from its support base, throwing him off. A crane boom then landed across Gring's body.

Police, fire and rescue officials from six area agencies were on the scene until Gring's body could be removed about 2:30 a.m., authorities said

An autopsy performed Monday showed Gring's preliminary cause of death was multiple blunt chest and abdominal injuries, entrapment under heavy equipment and a work-related mishap. Toxicology tests are pending.

According to an obituary, Gring was known to friends and family as a "Picasso with a chain saw" and a lover of all things related to trees. He started his own business 39 years ago, as a teen.

Gring is survived by a wife and several children as well as his mother, a brother, sister, a grandson and several nieces and nephews, many of whom live in DuPage County.

Visitation is planned for 3 to 8 p.m. today, Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., also in Wheaton.

Contributions in Gring's name may be made to the Jeff Gring Family Fund at Hultgren Funeral Home.