On August 28, 2024, at approximately 4:05 a.m., a tragic incident occurred at a construction site near Hoyt Park Drive and Scripps Ranch Boulevard in San Diego. A worker became trapped 20 feet down in an open trench where concrete pipes were being laid. According to reports, a 4-foot diameter concrete pipe, along with surrounding soil, collapsed and fell onto the worker. Despite immediate efforts, the individual is presumed deceased, as no noise or movement has been detected from the scene.
The San Diego Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team has been deployed to recover the worker, with officials estimating the operation could take over 90 minutes. The accident took place as two workers were guiding the placement of the concrete pipe being lowered by a heavy equipment operator. The soil unexpectedly shifted, causing the pipe and dirt to bury one of the workers, while the other managed to escape uninjured.
CalOSHA has been notified and will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse. The recovery and rescue operation is ongoing, and more details are expected to follow as authorities work to retrieve the victim.