BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — UPDATE (5:55 a.m., Monday): The Kern County Coroner's Office, Bakersfield Fire and Bakersfield Police have returned to the scene where a man's body was found under a rock slide in Northeast Bakersfield.
Bakersfield Police said crews would be returning to the scene Monday morning when there was more light to help pull the man's body from under a rock slide.
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A man reportedly mining on a hillside in Northeast Bakersfield died Sunday night after a rockslide occurred in the area, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.
Police were notified about the incident at about 7:45 p.m. Sunday, when a man noticed mining gear in that area and reported it to BPD. The man told police that he met a person in that area last week and believes that the rockslide may have buried him.
It is unclear when the rockslide occurred, according to BPD.
BPD and Bakersfield Fire units responded to the scene and located the man under rocks and dirt just west of 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway, a short distance away from the California Living Museum. They were unable to extricate him because of accessibility issues.
Units will extricate the man on Monday morning, according to BPD.
At this time, BPD is considering this a "suspicious death" since the extent of the man's injuries is not known.
The Kern County Coroner’s Office will confirm and release the identity of the decedent a later time.
BPD requests hikers and walkers to remain out of the immediate area during the recovery effort in an attempt to ensure their personal safety, expedite the investigation, and safely recover the victim.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call BPD at (661) 327-7111.
