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By Miriam Raftery
April 3, 2017 (El Cajon) - A cinder block wall collapsed onto a worker digging a trench for a new wall below the site at a car dealer in El Cajon this afternoon, prompting a Herculean attempt to rescue the 51-year-old man, but he could not be saved. A second worker was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Heartland Fire & Rescue crews were on scene within minutes of the collapse at the corner of North Marshall and Wagner streets. Rescue workers from Lakeside Fire, San Diego Fire, Cal Fire-San Miguel and the Helix Water District all participated in efforts to rescue the worker, using circular saws, jackhammers and other tools.
The victim never made any communications and was found deceased an hour and a half after the heavy wall fell down, according to Sonny Saghera, public information officer for Heartland.
Cal Osha is investigating the accident. Cause is unknown, however geologist Pat Abbott told ECM news partner 10 News that heavy rains may have left the cinder block wall and ground beneath it saturated, particularly if it did not have adequate drainage.
The identity of the victim, an Escondido contractor, has not been disclosed pending notification of his family.
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