Douglas Sykora Passes away, Douglas was pinned between a cement truck
Todd 04-17-2008
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We are so sorry for his family and friends. Read the full story at this link.

http://www.concretepumping.com/dictionary/index.php/Maryville_business_owner_killed_in_Cumberland_Gap_Tunnel_April_17th_2008

If somebody would like to send ups some pictures and info on him we would like to do an online memorial on him. We know he had many friends in this industry and this is a great loss to our industry. Sorry to see you go Doug.
Todd 04-17-2008
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Up date

CUMBERLAND GAP - A Maryville man died Monday night in a construction accident on the Tennessee-Kentucky line.

Doug Sykora, 57, owned Con-Quip, a concrete pumping company, and was working as a subcontractor for repairs on the Cumberland Gap Tunnel when the accident happened around 11:40 p.m., said Dirk Wiley, chief ranger for Cumberland Gap National Park.

The repairs involved filling holes in the pavement with cement. Chris Cunningham, 27, of Middlesboro, Ky., was inching a cement truck forward when he apparently lost control of the truck, which pinned Sykora against a nearby pump, Wiley said.

An ambulance carried Sykora to nearby Middlesboro Appalachian Regional Healthcare Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Cunningham, a driver for Concrete Products in Middlesboro, hasn't been charged in the crash, which remains under investigation, Wiley said.
Todd 04-17-2008
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Kretch 04-18-2008
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My deepest regards to the family and friends of Douglas.  Had I not checked this web site today I wouldn't have known.  I left Douglas a couple of messages this week, because I was trying to help a customer in Tennessee.  Now I know why he didn't return my calls. 

I have met Douglas twice in the past couple of years.  He was truly an experienced concrete pumper and a swell guy to just sit and talk to.

 
Bob 04-18-2008
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This is a perfect example.

Here is a guy that was a professional. He was at the top of his game and knew exactly what was going on.

He turned his back on a young mixer driver for a couple of seconds and paid the ultimate price. He deserved better.

This is the harshest of reminders of why we need to watch what we do AND what the other guy could do.

If this can happen to someone with 30 or more years of experience It can happen to you.

Please, do not ever put yourself between the mixer and the pump while the driver is still in the cab.