Community Corner

Construction Worker Killed In On-Site Accident

The man fell from a forklift and was buried by collapsing dirt.

A construction worker fell to his death this morning at the intersection of Sixth and Cypress streets while working on a new three-story office park.

The worker, whose identity police have to yet to release, has been presumed dead after falling into a hole and being subsequently buried by collapsing dirt.

“At about 10:30 we got a call of a man down that fell head first into an excavation trench. Essentially, the loose earth fell on top of him,” said Det. Mick Gaglia, with Hermosa Beach Police. “He was buried up to his ankle.”

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According to John Davis, a public works employee, the man was standing on the blades of a forklift while installing steel girders into the hole. A Wacker, which is vibratory rammer used to compact soil, was being used by other workers and the erratic motion of the machine caused the man to lose his balance. 

Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue workers are currently attempting to retrieve the body.

Find out what's happening in Hermosa Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

More details will be reported as they become available.


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