A body of a warehouse worker who had been missing for three days following a catastrophic roof collapse at a large commercial building in Arizona‘s Phoenix was found by the authorities earlier this week.
The body, believed to be of 22-year-old Oswaldo Montoya, was discovered around 1 pm on Saturday near the center of the Freeport Logistics warehouse, according to Phoenix Fire Department spokesperson Capt.Todd Keller, reported the USA Today.
The search began after a powerful microburst struck the warehouse around 9:30 pm on Wednesday, lifting the roof off the building located in west Phoenix. The impact of the storm caused extensive damage, including the collapse of 40-foot-tall racks of products, which created a tangled mess of debris.
“The body was found in the area where we had last placed him based on initial reports,” Keller toll press. The Phoenix Police Department is currently investigating the death, and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner will confirm the victim’s identity.
Keller expressed his condolences, saying, “Oswaldo was a hard worker. He was working a night shift, just supporting his family and taking care of his loved ones. This is not the outcome we wanted.”
The search and rescue operation was extensive and challenging. Over the course of three days, crews used drones, rescue dogs, and heavy equipment, including cranes and Bobcats with grappling attachments, to sift through nearly 50,000 pounds of concrete and debris. Rescue teams worked in shifts, with new teams rotating in every 12 hours to continue the search.
“The complexities of an incident like this are immense,” Keller added. “We have completely exhausted all of our resources in the fire department.”
The site was considered high-risk due to the threat of a secondary collapse. Structural engineers collaborated with the rescue teams to ensure their safety throughout the operation.
Montoya’s family was present at the scene and had been informed of his death. Friends and family described him as a “great” dad, brother, son, and son-in-law. Despite the tragic outcome, Keller praised the community’s support and the relentless efforts of the rescue teams in dealing with the devastating situation.
The body, believed to be of 22-year-old Oswaldo Montoya, was discovered around 1 pm on Saturday near the center of the Freeport Logistics warehouse, according to Phoenix Fire Department spokesperson Capt.Todd Keller, reported the USA Today.
The search began after a powerful microburst struck the warehouse around 9:30 pm on Wednesday, lifting the roof off the building located in west Phoenix. The impact of the storm caused extensive damage, including the collapse of 40-foot-tall racks of products, which created a tangled mess of debris.
“The body was found in the area where we had last placed him based on initial reports,” Keller toll press. The Phoenix Police Department is currently investigating the death, and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner will confirm the victim’s identity.
Keller expressed his condolences, saying, “Oswaldo was a hard worker. He was working a night shift, just supporting his family and taking care of his loved ones. This is not the outcome we wanted.”
The search and rescue operation was extensive and challenging. Over the course of three days, crews used drones, rescue dogs, and heavy equipment, including cranes and Bobcats with grappling attachments, to sift through nearly 50,000 pounds of concrete and debris. Rescue teams worked in shifts, with new teams rotating in every 12 hours to continue the search.
“The complexities of an incident like this are immense,” Keller added. “We have completely exhausted all of our resources in the fire department.”
The site was considered high-risk due to the threat of a secondary collapse. Structural engineers collaborated with the rescue teams to ensure their safety throughout the operation.
Montoya’s family was present at the scene and had been informed of his death. Friends and family described him as a “great” dad, brother, son, and son-in-law. Despite the tragic outcome, Keller praised the community’s support and the relentless efforts of the rescue teams in dealing with the devastating situation.