Riverside Man Dies When Buried by Sand in Anaheim Storage Pit

A man apparently suffocated Monday when he was covered by sand inside an underground sand and gravel storage pit and was later pronounced dead despite emergency efforts to revive him, authorities said.

The victim was identified as Gerald Trojnar, 33, of Riverside, according to Anaheim Police Sgt. Steve Brace.

Police and fire units arrived at the sand and gravel company at 201 E. Commercial Ave., Anaheim, at 4:43 p.m. where a man was reported “inside a sand hopper, covered with sand,” Brace said.

Attempts to revive the victim at the scene were unsuccessful, as were efforts at Anaheim Memorial Hospital, Brace said. The cause of death is under investigation by the coroner’s office. It was not known how the victim came to be covered with sand, though he is believed to have been working in or near the pit.