An industrial accident occurred at approximately 11:12 AM on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at Bemidji Iron and Recycling, located in the 9000 block of Bemidji Rd N, approximately 6 miles north of Bemidji. A private contractor had been hired to excavate and repair a water line that was buried very deep. Unfortunately, in the process of that excavation the trench collapsed. A friend of the private contractor was helping with the project and was pinned in the excavation. Immediate rescue attempts were taken. Found deceased at the scene was Leon Jenkauski, age 59, of Bemidji.
Responding to the scene were the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Bemidji Ambulance, North Country First Responders and the Bemidji Fire Department. The Bemidji Fire Department spent several hours at the scene assisting the Sheriff's Office.
Per Mr. Jenkauski's family, funeral arrangements are being handled by the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home.
The investigation into the accident continues.
Mrs. Beryl Wernberg
911 Communications Supervisor/
Emergency Management Director
Beltrami County Sheriff's Office
613 Minnesota Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-333-8320 or fax 218-755-9322
Pager: 218-759-7560
