A Yuma city employee is in intensive care after being pinned beneath a falling cactus.
William Mason, 40, remains in the ICU after undergoing surgery Thursday night. Mason, who works for the Yuma Utilities Department, was fixing an emergency water leak Tuesday morning in Del Oro Estates in the 2100 block of Cottontail Avenue.
While working, a 16-foot saguaro cactus fell on him, reportedly breaking his back and his leg and injuring an arm. The cactus has been removed and street repairs have been made.
One neighbor says he heard a fire truck and ambulance arrive in the early morning hours, and says he saw a man pinned beneath the giant cactus, which had fallen into the street.
Saguaro cacti are very tall with shallow roots. They are covered with sharp, spiny thorns. Full grown saguaros can weigh more than two tons.
According to the Yuma Sun, Mason's mother-in-law Caroline Ashley says 146 cactus spines have been removed so far.
City staff members are in contact with Mason's family out of concern and to assist as needed, according to Dave Nash, Public Affairs Coordinator for the City of Yuma. He says they are respecting the family's privacy during this ordeal.
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