By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
City of San Benito officials reported that the man who fell from the Williams Road water tower Thursday is on the road to recovery.
Assistant City Manager Hector “Chuck” Jalomo identified the man as 31-year-old Hector Castillo, who is originally from San Benito and now resides in Harlingen. City Manager Manual Lara reported that Castillo was employed with Williams Precision Service out of Conroe, Texas – a company contracted by the city to paint the water tower.
According to Jalomo, the incident occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4. “He was painting, and from what I understand he finished and started to head down. I think what happened is a cable broke on the scaffold, and so it tilted to the side and that’s when he fell,” Jalomo said.
Fire Marshal Henry Lopez gave a conflicting account, stating that Castillo may have actually been traveling up the tower when he fell, which officials have agreed may have been from 100 feet high. Detective Art Flores of the San Benito Police Department (SBPD) supported the fire marshal’s account.
In the meantime, officials with Valley Baptist Medical Center, where Castillo was transported following his fall, have yet to release the official status of his condition. Jalomo, meanwhile, reported that Castillo is in good health after hearing from a family member.
“Actually, to my surprise he’s doing very well. He has always been conscience, moving his arms and legs,” Jalomo said, adding, “He has a fractured pelvis and a fractured hip, this from a relative who was sending text messages back and forth. So he’s doing very well.”
Attempts by the News to contact Castillo’s family were unsuccessful as of presstime.
It is believed that a sand pile broke Castillo’s fall and perhaps saved his life.
Thus far, officials with the police and fire departments as well as the city have not learned if an investigative agency will probe the cause of the accident.
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the Aug. 7 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
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