Kilsyth electrician Jarrod Fox killed while working at Kalinda Rd Ringwood house
Hardworking Kilsyth electrician Jarrod Fox had only just welcomed his youngest child into the world when he tragically died while working on a job. Now community members have rallied around his heartbroken family and raised more than $125,000.
Outer East
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UPDATE: Tradies have rallied around one of their own with more than $125,000 raised in three days to support the young sons of a Kilsyth electrician who died at work.
Jarrod Fox, 37, was electrocuted while he worked underneath a home in Ringwood’s Kalinda Rd on Tuesday, August 18.
A GoFundMe fundraiser for a trust fund for his two sons, Archer, 2, and Jasper, five weeks, had raised more than $125,000 as of 4.30pm today after it began on Wednesday, August 19.
It was the biggest trending fundraiser on GoFundMe Australia’s website.
Sister Erin Fox said she and her heartbroken family were overwhelmed by the reaction and support from the community, particularly from fellow tradies and their wives.
“Its unfathomable how generous people are, especially during these times,” Ms Fox said.
“The tradie community is so tight knit, they’re down to earth people and people can relate to Jarrod.
“His legacy has touched so many people … its like its reached every part of the community.”
Ms Fox said her late brother’s fiance Charmaine had been touched by the outpouring of support and comments from donors.
A funeral for Mr Fox will be held in Lilydale for 10 family members and live-streamed on Friday, followed by a bigger memorial service once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
“We feel he needs to be honoured and all his family and friends need a chance to say goodbye,” Ms Fox said.
‘Just A Simple Tradie’
Ms Fox described her brother as a kind-hearted, quiet “workaholic” dedicated to supporting his young family.
He and fiance Charmaine gave birth to their second child, Jasper, five weeks ago, a brother for two-year-old son Archer.
“He was a family guy, a workaholic, and he never took time off because he wanted to provide for his family,” Ms Fox said.
“It was never about him, he always gave so much of himself to everyone else.”
“I was speaking to his best mate and he said he was a friend for life, there was never anyone who had a bad word to say about him.”
An experienced tradesman, Mr Fox attended Lilydale Heights High School and left in Year 11 to begin his electrical apprenticeship.
Ms Fox said her brother had a passive, easygoing personality and was “meticulous” and passionate about his job.
“He was just a simple tradie, no glitz or glamour, he just did what he had to do,” she said.
“All he wanted to do was give and provide to his family.”
WORKSAFE INVESTIGATING
WorkSafe and Maroondah detectives are continuing their investigations into Mr Fox’s death.
Croydon police Sergeant Peter Williams said six police units, Ambulance Victoria paramedics and WorkSafe representatives responded to the incident at 3.30pm.
Sgt Williams said Mr Fox was a qualified electrician and working as contractor.
He said the homeowner hadn’t heard from the man for a period of time, and made the grisly discovery when they went to check on him.
Sgt Williams said the homeowner found the man cold and not responding and phoned 000.
Investigators believe Mr Fox was working in a confined space and was electrocuted.
Sgt Williams said WorkSafe representatives secured the incident scene and Mr Fox’s death was being investigated by the coroner.
It is the 47th death recorded on a Victorian worksite in 2020 and there have been three more deaths recorded compared with the same time last year.
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