Construction worker buried alive in Hermosa Beach, after falling head first into a hole

2010-03-14 05:44:54 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Construction Accidents, Justice News Flash)

Legal news for California construction accident attorneys. A construction worker was killed after falling head first into a hole.

California construction accident lawyer alert- Cal/OSHA is investigating an accident that left a construction worker dead.

Los Angeles, CA—A construction worker was pronounced dead after falling head first into an excavated hole, which collapsed around him. The worker fell into the hole around 10:30 a.m., in Hermosa Beach, at Sixth and Cypress Streets and wasn’t dug out until 3:25 p.m., as reported by the DailyBreeze.com.

The unidentified construction worker was reportedly standing on a plywood platform that was on a fork of a Bobcat Caterpillar, which was raised 6-feet into the air. The worker was operating a hand-held compactor, which is like a jackhammer that pushes own a steel pole for a retaining wall; when the vibration from the compactors launched him head first into the slender hole. As the worker fell into the hole, pilled up sand around the opening caved in around him. Only part of the man’s foot and leg was visible. Officials haven’t determined what caused the sand to collapse. Dozens of emergency workers form the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s specialized Urban Search and Rescue Unit tried digging the worker out for a good part of the day. Around 3:25, he was released from the hole and pronounced dead. State investigators revealed that the contractor did not have a valid permit to excavate the site. California’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration (Cal/OSHA) immediately issued a stop work order following the accident. A full investigation is currently underway.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for California construction accident lawyers.