Tragic Job Site Fall On LI Leaves Friends, Family 'Broken-Hearted'

HUNTINGTON STATION, NY — The friends and family of a Huntington Station roofer who died from a fall from a Glen Cove construction site on Friday are collecting money to send his body back home for burial.

Organizer Sheilin Contreras, of Huntington Station, described Noe Diaz-Gámez, 26, as "an exemplary brother and a good friend." He suffered "a tragic accident," she said, that caused his death, falling from the roof of a 20-foot building "sadly, and unexpectedly."

Contreras, who is organizing the fundraiser on behalf of Gámez's family, said they are asking for "collaboration to be able to send his body to his country and to cover the cost of his funeral."

"This unexpected accident has left us with a broken heart and emptiness," Contreras wrote. "Please we ask for your help! Any support will be appreciated, thank you very much! God bless you!"

As of Thursday afternoon, $2,150 had been collected on GoFundMe.

Patch has reached out to Contreras for comment.

Glen Cove police were called to a vacant warehouse on Garvies Point Road just before noon last Friday, Lt. John Nagle said.

Police and Emergency Medical Services began rendering aid to Gámez, and he was airlifted to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset by the Nassau police's Aviation Bureau. He died of his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital, Nagle said.

Gámez suffered severe head trauma and was declared dead at the hospital by a physician, according to Nassau police.

Gámez worked for a roofing company and was replacing parts of the metal roof when he fell, Nagle said.

The scene was investigated by Glen Cove's Detective Division, as well as Nassau police's Homicide Bureau, and members of the Occupational Safety Health Administration, according to Nagle.

"After a thorough police investigation, the death has been determined to be accidental in nature," Nagle said in a statement.