BELLE PLAINE, Minn. — A procession was held Thursday for man who was struck and killed by a dump truck while working for MnDOT on a construction project in Plymouth.
Mike Gau, 54, died Wednesday after he was hit while working in a construction zone at Rockford Road and Nathan Lane North.
"MnDOT is grieving this tragic death and focused on supporting Michael’s colleagues and family," a MnDOT spokesperson wrote in a statement. "MnDOT immediately notified MNOSHA to begin an investigation and the agency is closely coordinating with the Plymouth Police Department and Minnesota State Patrol."
In addition to working for MnDOT, Gau was a longtime Belle Plaine volunteer firefighter, where he was a lieutenant with the department.
Thursday's procession for Gau began on Highway 62 and continued onto Interstate 494 and Highway 169 before going through Belle Plaine to the funeral home.
"Our friends as Henderson Fire said it best 'Mike could usually be located by following the laughs on a fire ground. He will be greatly missed,'" the Belle Plaine Fire Department Relief Association posted on Facebook. Several other fire departments posted tributes to Gau, including the Montgomery Fire Department, which hung a flag from a ladder truck in memory of the fallen firefighter.
According to Belle Plaine Fire, Gau was a 23-year veteran of the department. In 2021, he was honored with the Firefighter of the Year Award.
A visitation is scheduled on Friday, Sept. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine. Another visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8 at Oak Crest Elementary School, where a tribute and celebration will follow. There will also be a formal procession past the Belle Plaine Fire Hall following the celebration.
A fund has been set up at First National Bank Belle Plaine under the Project Safe Neighborhood Account.
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