Conservationist I

California Conservation Corps

3/13/2002

Special Act Award (Gold)

On March 13, 2002, Conservationist I, Juan Mercado heard a young girl's cry for help and ran across the street where he quickly discovered that a pit of dirt had collapsed on three girls, burying them alive. He immediately called to his crew for help. Without regard for their own safety, his Crew Leader and a Corps member climbed a seven foot high barbed wire fence and began digging with their bare hands in the 14 foot deep pit, attempting to rescue the children. Mr. Mercado called 911 as he frantically looked for tools that could speed up the lifesaving efforts. Finding nothing, he too climbed the barbed wire fence and began digging with his hands, despite the unstable conditions. Large amounts of dirt fell on their legs. Despite these circumstances, they continued to dig, placing themselves at risk with no concern for their own safety. All three girls were extracted from the pit. Two, unfortunately, did not survive. The third girl spent a several days in the hospital, and was then released.