Man Fixing Tires Dies Between 2 Trailers

A man fixing some tires at a truck yard near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego's Otay Mesa area was killed when he became wedged between two tractor-trailers, officials said.

Emergency crews rushed to the Mex-Cal truck yards in the 7900-block of Airway Road just before 4:15 p.m. to help the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials said the man was working between two tractor-trailers when one of the trailers slipped off a jack, fatally crushing the man as he became wedged between the large vehicles.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Robert Garcia said rescue crews used a forklift to move the trailer and gain access to the victim. However, at that point, he could not be saved.

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) has taken over the investigation. Employees at the truck yard have been cooperating with officials.

The man's name has not yet been released but officials said he was in his 50s. Employees at the Otay Mesa truck yard were extremely distraught following the incident, with many crying at the scene over the death of the victim.

Garcia said investigators aren't sure how long the man was wedged between the trailers before someone realized he was in distress and called for help.

Check back for updates on this developing story.


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