Man Killed in Accident at Hinsdale School

Fifty-three-year-old Bradley Palmer of Hinsdale was found dead under a three-point hitch mower deck behind the Hinsdale School May 19 at 1:44 p.m. He had been working for the school district since early winter as the maintenance and groundskeeper.

It appeared Palmer was doing maintenance on the mower when the blocking collapsed, killing him instantly, according to Sheriff Glen Meier. The cause of the collapse is still unknown. Palmer was found when an employee of the Hinsdale School went to find him after he failed to appear at the school for lunch.

Palmer leaves behind a wife, son and daughter. His services were held over the weekend at the Hinsdale School gymnasium.

School officials said that Palmer was known for being meticulous and paying attention to details. He was a role model for taking such great pride in his work and giving 110 percent on the job. The Hinsdale School District hasn’t had a work fatality in any recent years. Palmer was known for having a good sense of humor, being cheerful and for understanding what it was to do a job well done. School officials also said he would be greatly missed and his “fingerprints” of the work he completed have been left behind, such as the organization of the school basement and the old bus barn.