Family prepares for funeral of oilsands worker killed at Suncor

The family of an oilsands worker who died on the job at a Suncor mine outside Fort McMurrayis preparing for his funeral.

Sagar Patel, 30, was buried alive at Suncor's Millennium mineFriday while performing trench work.

Patel, a contractor who worked for Edmonton-basedAecon Mining, left behind a wife andparents.

• Contract worker killed at Suncor oilsands plant near Fort McMurray

Kinnar Patel, a friend, said Sagar was like a brother to him. Kinnar, who spoke to CBC News on behalf of the family, said Patel's parents flew in from India to prepare for their son's funeral.

Final funeral arrangements have not been completed.

Kinnar has set up a fundraising campaign to help raise money for the widow of his friend. As of Monday the campaign surpassed half its fundraising goal of $100,000.

"This unwanted, unfortunate tragedy [that] happened in Fort McMurray has taken away one of the most beautiful souls from this planet,"Kinnarwrote on the fundraising site.

Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is no longer on the scene but spokesperson Trent Bancarz said OHS is still reviewing the case. Bacarz said OHS has up two years to complete itsinvestigation.

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