Worker Dies After Becoming Trapped In Silo In Petaluma

PETALUMA, CA — UPDATED: A Solano County man died after he became trapped in a workplace silo Friday in Petaluma. The man was rescued by Petaluma Fire Department personnel and flown by a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with injuries described as life-threatening.

The injured man later died at the hospital, authorities said. He was identified Monday by the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office as 31-year-old Adolfo Sanchez, of Fairfield.

The work-site incident was reported at 12:08 p.m. Jan. 3 at 100 East D St., near the D Street Bridge, Petaluma Fire Department Battalion Chief Chad Costa said.

"Fire and EMS arrived within 1 minute," Costa said. "Bystanders informed initial units that they witnessed a large metal tower on top of a silo collapse. They stated someone was screaming for help on top of the silo."

The gate to the property was locked so Petaluma police decided to use a patrol car to force entry.

"This allowed for units to gain quick access to the facility where the silo was located," Costa said.

A "rescue response" was requested, which dispatched all Petaluma FD units to the scene. An engine from Rancho Adobe Fire, a rescue unit from Sonoma Valley Fire, a rescue helicopter from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office and a transport helicopter from the California Highway Patrol also responded, while Cal Fire provided coverage for other emergency calls in Petaluma.

Firefighters used a 35-foot ladder to reach the top of the silo, where they saw Sanchez trapped underneath a large conveyor structure.

Sanchez's co-worker was trying to free him; once firefighters and paramedics were there, they were able to lift the conveyor enough to successfully free Sanchez.

"Paramedics determined that the patient had sustained life-threatening injuries and would need to be transported by the air ambulance," Costa said.

Paramedics rendered first aid until Petaluma Fire Department's ladder-truck crew moved Sanchez from the top of the silo to the ground and then into the CHP helicopter.

Costa said the patient was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries. They would later learn that he died.

"From the time of dispatch to the patient being loaded into the air ambulance was approximately 35 minutes," Costa said. "The patient was at Memorial Hospital within 45 minutes. Fire units remained at scene to assist Petaluma PD and Cal Osha with their investigation."

Costa said the Petaluma Fire Department was grateful for the help of Cal Fire and the Petaluma Police Department.