UPPER LAKE — A vineyard worker was tragically killed in the early hours of Wednesday morning as he operated an irrigation pump during frost protection at Clover Valley Vineyards in Upper Lake.
Upper Lake resident Silvino Eufracio Navarro, known to all by his nickname “Toyahua,” was a long-time vineyard worker and much loved member of the community. He came from the town of Nochistl?n in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. He had lived in the community for 22 years.
“It was his first day operating the anti-frost machinery,” Navarro”s wife Celia Duran Eufracio said.
The 48-year-old father of three went to the vineyard to check an irrigation pump. He called his foreman at around midnight to report it was in working order, and said he planned to go home.
When his wife had not heard from him and he had not returned home, she called his cell phone. Then she and the foreman went to look for him at 7 a.m. There, they found his body submerged in the pond.
“While he was crouched in front of the machinery, some part of the machinery must have hit him and knocked him unconscious and into the lake,” Celia said.
According to the Lake County Sheriff”s Department (LCSD), the diesel-driven pump Navarro was working on was situated on a wooden pier extending over the pond.
“Evidence at the scene revealed that while he was working on or around the pump station, his clothing apparently became caught in the drive-shaft and he was abruptly pulled through the mechanics of the system. He sustained multiple injuries as a result and ultimately fell into the pond, presumably already unconscious,” Chief Deputy James Bauman wrote in a statement Friday.
Bauman said it is believed Navarro “died very suddenly due to the multiple traumatic injuries as a result of this tragic industrial accident.”
Navarro leaves behind his wife, daughters Nancy, 18, Ana Cristina, 16, and son Eduardo Daniel, 6.
The family gathered at St. Peter”s Catholic Church in Kelseyville for a special Mass to memorialize Navarro at 7 p.m. Friday night.
“He was a very kind person, he was kind to everyone. He was a very happy person,” Celia said.
Navarro worked at numerous vineyards around the county for the past 22 years. He enjoyed watching soccer and baseball games, and walking in the garden.
A memorial service will be held at Lakeport Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The burial will be held at Upper Lake Cemetery at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Spanish translator Colby Nixon contributed to this report.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com.