The Fresno County Coroner’s Office has identified the individual who tragically lost his life after being trapped inside an excavator in Fresno County on Tuesday. The victim has been confirmed as 35-year-old Jonathan Swarthout of Los Banos, a devoted father of four and husband.
Swarthout’s death occurred at Academy Quarry, located on Tollhouse Road, when the excavator he was operating overturned and became pinned against a boulder, trapping him inside. The incident took place on Tuesday morning as Swarthout was in the process of loading rocks into a dump truck. According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the excavator overturned, with the cab coming to rest on the large boulder, leaving Swarthout wedged between the machine and the rock.
Deputies arrived on scene at approximately 8:00 a.m., discovering Swarthout trapped and unresponsive. Despite efforts from firefighters to extricate the victim, the injuries he sustained from the collision between the excavator and the boulder were fatal, and he was declared dead at the scene.
Jonathan Swarthout leaves behind his wife and four children. His sudden death has left the local community mourning the loss of a dedicated worker, husband, and father.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this devastating accident to determine the cause and to ensure the safety of workers in similar environments.
As this investigation continues, our thoughts are with the family of Jonathan Swarthout during this incredibly difficult time.
