Worker Suffers Fractured Pelvis in Trench Cave-In

An Orange County laborer suffered a fractured rib and pelvis Monday when a trench he was digging collapsed at a construction site near Portola Hills, sending colleagues scrambling to unearth him using their hands and shovels, authorities said.

Joel Hinahosa, 30, was buried up to his torso inside the 7-foot-deep trench for at least 10 minutes, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Scott Brown said. Paramedics arrived at the site just off Santiago Canyon and Modjeska Grade roads at 9:22 a.m., just as co-workers were lifting Hinahosa free, Brown said.

The injured worker was airlifted to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, where he remained Monday afternoon in fair condition, hospital spokeswoman Karen Prestia said.

The trench lacked the necessary wood supports that are meant to prevent such collapses and are required under Cal/OSHA safety standards, Brown said. The Fire Authority has reported the company conducting the work to Cal/OSHA, he added.