Pacoima Cave-In : Laborer Dies, 2 Injured After Trench Collapses

A trench collapsed on three laborers at a Pacoima construction project Monday, killing a 63-year-old workman who was buried for about 40 minutes, a Fire Department spokesman said.

Jose Alonzo, who was unconscious when he was removed from the trench, died at Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in Sun Valley without regaining consciousness about seven hours after the accident, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Co-worker Bill Linden, 60, suffered a broken pelvis, and remained hospitalized at Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, said hospital spokeswoman Maggie Cessar.

Jose Rivera, 34, was treated for minor injuries and released from the same hospital.

The three men were working for a plumbing contractor hired by the owner of a warehouse leased to Watkins Motor Lines Inc. at 12200 Montague St.

They were digging in a 10-foot-deep trench to repair a sewer line behind the warehouse when the walls collapsed shortly after 11:30 a.m., said Fire Department spokesman Pat Killian.

Linden and Rivera were buried up to their waists. However, Alonzo was completely submerged, according to Dean Herbert, an employee of the trucking firm.

The contractor ran to the loading dock and told Herbert and a co-worker, Frank Castro, about the collapse, Herbert said.

Herbert and Castro tried to free the trapped men, Castro digging with a shovel and Herbert with his hands.

They found Alonzo’s torso, Herbert said. “But we couldn’t find his head.”

Herbert estimated that they dug for 10 minutes before the arrival of firefighters, who Killian said finally freed the laborers about 12:15 p.m.

Rich Rice, spokesman for the state Department of Occupational Health and Safety, said two safety engineers had been sent to the scene to determine if there had been violations of state law.