Wall Collapse at Pacoima Jobsite, Injures Two, Kills One
Two construction workers were rescued by Los Angeles firefighters after a worksite accident claimed the life of another worker on Wednesday morning in Pacoima. The incident occurred in an area near Hansen Dam, when a 6-foot-high, 40-foot-long cinder block wall collapsed and split into five sections. Firefighters arrived at the construction site a few minutes after 8:45 a.m. to find three workers injured.
According to Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott, the collapsed wall was situated near a 3-by-3 trench where a crew was working at the time. The two injured workers, aged 42 and 45, were extracted from the scene and transported to a hospital for treatment. L.A.F.D. confirmed that their injuries were non life-threatening.
Tragically, the third worker, identified as 49-year-old Javier Calderon, was unable to be saved and was declared deceased at the site, according to fire officials. At the time of reporting, no further details or identities of the injured workers were available.
During the rescue operation, emergency responders shut down all electrical sources, machinery, and water supply to the accident site. Firefighters employed jackhammers, sledgehammers, hydraulic spreaders, wooden planks, and airbags to remove the collapsed wall from the area.
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Investigations into the incident have been initiated by the Fire Department, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Police Department, and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. Early reports are that the site was non union and unregulated.
BDN reached out to Josh Christensen of Carpenters' Union Local 661 . Christensen who is a business agent for the Union, investigated last month's roof collapse in nearby Glendale- an incident that echoes this weeks tragic events. "Details are coming in about Pacoima. What I know is, again, we're seeing the outcome of using rat contractors that don't care about worker safety. This time someone lost their life and people need to start paying attention. It's infuriating," said Christensen.
According to ABC 7 Los Angeles, Calderon was a father of five daughters. A GoFund me page has been set up to help cover family expenses.
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