Authorities Thursday publicly identified a worker killed in a construction accident near the U.S.-Mexico border as a 56-year-old Wyoming man.
Frederick Von Kahl was killed while working on a drill rig at the site on Camiones Way in San Ysidro late Wednesday morning, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office. He was struck in the chest by a hose, which knocked him off an elevated platform, according to news reports.
The victim had worked for Earth Tech Well Drilling, which was subcontracting for Atkinson/Clark, according to NBC7. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched an investigation into his death.
Scheduled for completion in 2019, the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry (LPOE), Phase 3 project is designed to address the increased travel delays due to traffic volume in the busiest land port in the world.
Atkinson/Clark, A Joint Venture, will expand southbound Interstate-5 from 5 to 10 lanes, as well as fabricate and install 10 new inspection booths. They also will construct new southbound primary and secondary vehicle inspection canopies, and a 562-car employee parking structure, as well as access roadways through the LPOE to and from Mexico. Additionally, the team will expand the northbound primary vehicle inspection canopy and create 8 additional lanes with 15 northbound inspection booths.
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A construction worker died Wednesday after a valve ruptured and struck him in the chest in San Ysidro, a spokesperson for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) confirmed.
The incident occurred on the 5700 block of Camiones Way near the U.S.-Mexico border and Interstate 5.
According to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD), medics were called out around 10:52 a.m.
A 2-inch hose hit the 52-year-old worker in the chest and knocked him off the platform. When medics arrived on the scene, the man was not conscious, SDFD officials said.
San Diego police also responded to the scene.
OSHA spokesperson Luke Brown said the employee worked for Earth Tech Well Drilling, a subcontractor for Atkinson Clark Costruction.
NBC 7 reached out to Atkinson Clark for a statement but has not heard back yet.
At this time, OSHA is investigating both companies.
According to previous OSHA records, Atkinson Clark was investigated for two construction accidents -- in Westminster and Foothill Ranch.
No other information was available.
