Worker killed in six-story fall at Valero Benicia refinery

BENICIA – A worker died after falling six stories at the Valero Benicia refinery on Friday night, according to fire dispatch audio.

The refinery, which is located at 3400 E. Second St., called 911 at 10:49 p.m. to report an “unresponsive male inside of a vessel.”

After emergency responders arrived and were escorted to the area, they discovered that a worker fell approximately six stories. The person had to be rescued and CPR was attempted to revive him, but he was later pronounced dead.

The Solano County coroner's office identified the man who died as Luis Gutierrez, 35, who lived in Wilmington in Los Angeles County. KQED reported that he was a member of Laborers Local 1309.

Benicia police confirmed that officers responded to the Valero Refinery at 10:50 p.m., but said there was no indication of any crime and that the coroner's office and state Division of Occupational Safety and Health were handling the investigation.

Mayor Steve Young said that Cal/OSHA investigators were at the refinery on Saturday and that the death appears to be the result of an accident. "The City will offer whatever assistance is requested," Young said in a text message. "Our condolences go out to the family of the employee."

Paul Adler, a spokesperson for Valero, said that Gutierrez was a contractor. "An investigation is underway to determine the cause of death and whether it was work-related," Adler said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the contractor and their family during this time of loss."

The Benicia Fire Department and Cal/OSHA did not respond to requests for more information.