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WEST VALLEY CITY — A family is mourning after losing their brother in a freak construction accident in Sandy Friday.
A massive pipe crushed Russell Andrews, 46, after it fell off the chain hoisting it in the air at a construction site near 11450 S. 1000 East.
But Russell Andrew's family said their brother was a dump truck driver and had no business helping lay pipe on the construction site.
"He was willing to help people— I imagine with his boss being there, and running the equipment, " said Jason Andrews, the victim's brother. "He was apt to help because that's his job."
Police on Friday said Russell Andrews was standing on the pipe as it was being moved, and at some point, he jumped off and ended up underneath the 4,000-pound tube that dropped off the chain and crushed him.
The Andrews' family feels there's more to the story, and they want to know why he was even on the job site.
"I don't blame his boss for what happened, accidents happen. But dang it! Respond. That's all we ask is respond," Jason Andrews said.
Jason Andrews said he and other family members just want a first-hand account of what happened. They said they've reached out multiple times to the contractor, Black Rock Construction.
His brothers described Russell Andrews as a fighter, saying he battled addiction for most of his life, overcame cancer, and fought to overcome deep personal loss when his mother died just a few months earlier.
"He wanted to see his family happy and taken care of. And that's all he did was try to take care of his family," said Jason Andrews when asked about his brother's life goals.
The family said Andrews may have been the youngest brother, but he was the one with the biggest heart.
"I just want you to know, he was a good man, we loved him, and he will be missed."
Andrews leaves behind two grown children.
Black Rock Construction Company could not be reached for comment Saturday.
The family set up a GoFundMe* account to help with Russell Andrews' burial expenses.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
