Yuma city worker struck and pinned by saguaro - | News for Yuma, Imperial Valley, El Centro, AZ & CA

Yuma city worker struck and pinned by saguaro

Yuma, Ariz. - An employee of the City of Yuma's Utilities department remains under intensive care after he was struck then pinned by a falling cactus as he was responding to an emergency water leak.

A city news release reports that William Mason, a water distribution technician, was injured in the early morning hours Tuesday while working with a utilities crew responding to an emergency water leak in the Del Oro Estates subdivision. 

A 16-foot saguaro from a nearby property struck and then pinned Mason while he was working, resulting in multiple injuries, particularly to his back and legs. Other members of the crew were able to free him and call 911. He was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he remained on Thursday. 

The cause of the cactus fall remains under investigation. 

The largest cactus in the United States, saguaros weigh between 3,200 pounds and 4,800 pounds despite having roots that are generally only 4-6 inches deep, anchored by a larger, single tap root.