Photo: South Lake Tahoe Fire Department
A foundation drill rig operator died yesterday morning in South Lake Tahoe, California while in the process of completing a drilled pier foundation for a 115-foot Verizon monopole to be erected off of Al Tahoe Boulevard just south of Lake Tahoe Community College.
According to authorities, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue received a call at about 9:45 a.m. and enlisted the support of the Lake Valley Fire Protection District, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, Cal Tahoe JPA, and South Lake Tahoe Police Department who performed a rescue of a still unidentified man who fell into a 35-foot excavation head first, becoming unconscious.
Emergency personnel used a crane on site to lower two men to bring the injured worker to the surface where he was then transported to Barton Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities said they could not provide the name of the drilling contractor or any additional details to Wireless Estimator.
The deceased worked for a subcontractor of JFC Construction of Martinez, California. A spokesperson for JFC said that they would not be available to comment until Monday.
Wireless Estimator will provide additional details as they become known.