Construction worker dies after being trapped under a pipe in Scripps Ranch

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Authorities are trying to recover the body of a construction worker who died after becoming trapped under a pipe early Wednesday morning.

According to San Diego Fire-Rescue, the department received a call around 4 a.m. about a trench that had collapsed on the victim, trapping them under a pipe and dirt, in the area of Hoyt Park Drive and Scripps Ranch Boulevard.

About 30 workers were at the construction site working on a pure water project when the incident happened, according to authorities.

The trench rescue was later turned into a recovery operation after SDFD later confirmed the victim was deceased.

According to Dan Eddy, deputy chief of operations for SDFD, the pipe that fell on the victim was a four-foot steel and concrete pipe.

Authorities are using an excavator to move the dirt so they can attempt to lift the pipe off of the victim. Retrieval of the victim’s body is estimated to take up to three hours.

California Occupational Health and Safety Administration officials are investigating the incident. All construction at the site has been stopped until the investigation is completed, according to SDFD.

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