Stanislaus trench collapse victim identified as former star soccer player

A California soccer player was identified as the worker killed when a trench suddenly collapsed at a worksite in the Central Valley.

Excavation worker Pablo Gomez, 34, died after becoming trapped underground for hours at the site in Hickman on Friday, triggering a massive rescue effort.

Gomez played goalkeeper for the Modesto City Football Club in 2019 and 2020, with the club mourning its former player online.

“This is a very sad day for the [Modesto City Football Club] family and the Modesto, California area,” the club said. “Our condolences go out to the family.”

A GoFundMe campaign launched for Gomez described him as “a very joyful, loved young man who loved to dance and loved to have a good time,” adding he was “always with a smile, brightening everyone’s day.”

The campaign further described him as “a great friend, son, brother, uncle, cousin and father” and said his death had left his loved ones with “a profound sadness that is hard to fathom.”

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is now investigating the cause and circumstances of the fatal collapse.

The deadly incident comes after another trench tragedy in California.

Two workers were killed in August when a trench collapsed at a Stockton construction site.

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