FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — Emergency crews are searching for a missing employee at the National Raisin Company in Fowler after a reported fall into an industrial water digester Thursday.
Fowler police say they were called out around 2:30 p.m. after Juan Patino, an employee at the facility, was reported missing.
Investigators say Patino was last seen around 1:10 p.m. in the treatment area, where he was actively pumping rainwater off a tarp.
That was his last known location.
When employees later conducted a search of the plant, they discovered Patino had not logged out for the day, his work vehicle had not moved and his hard hat was still on site.
Officials also noted a tear in the canvas cover of an industrial water digester located at the facility.
At this time, authorities are treating the case as a missing person investigation.
Fire crews, a technical rescue team, and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office have all responded to the scene.
Officials say it contains highly caustic chemicals and requires specialized commercial divers.
A specialized dive team from Utah is on the way to assist in the search.
Officials say the team has previously worked at the facility.
They’re expected to arrive in about 10 hours.
Patino is described as 6 feet tall, about 230 pounds, and was last seen wearing a light blue work shirt, blue jeans, and brown work boots.
The CEO of National Raisin Company has notified his family.
Authorities say an update is not expected until Friday as the search continues.
Anyone with any information about where Patino could be is urged to contact the Fowler Police Department at (559) 834-3254.