City of Brawley Employee Dies After Tragic Fall at Wastewater Treatment Facility; Investigation Underway

On Saturday, September 28, 2024, a tragedy occurred at the City of Brawley's wastewater treatment facility when a worker was found unresponsive by a co-worker. According to a press release from the City of Brawley Police Department, the employee was later confirmed deceased. “It is with deep sorrow and regret that we confirm the passing of our employee,” the release stated. The City emphasized that support is being provided to the bereaved family, and assistance is being extended to colleagues who are mourning the loss.

As part of their standard procedure, the City is actively working with the Imperial County Coroner's Office and the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to investigate the incident. “We are committed to discovering all the answers, with safety being our foremost priority,” the press release added. To respect the privacy of the family and maintain the integrity of the investigation, the City has stated that no further comments will be made at this time.

According to the *Calexico Chronicle*, the Imperial County Sheriff's Office activity logs indicated that the 64-year-old employee died following a fall in which he hit his head. The logs report that the incident occurred around noon. Fire crews were already at the scene when the Imperial County Coroner's Office was requested at 12:18 p.m. The wastewater treatment plant, located at 5015 Best Road, north of Brawley, is accessible from a dirt road off Best Road and lies about 2,000 feet west of the main road.

The investigation into the cause of the fatal accident is ongoing. Local authorities and OSHA will continue to work diligently to ensure that all safety measures are thoroughly reviewed to prevent such tragedies in the future. The City remains focused on the well-being of the family and employees affected by this heartbreaking incident. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.