The body of a construction worker was recovered from an 11-foot deep trench late Thursday, nearly 11 hours after the victim and his colleague fell into the trough.
The man was identified by his daughter as 50-year-old Gilbert Vargas, who has worked in construction for more than half his life.
The men were working for a sub-contractor on a storm water treatment project when the trench collapsed, burying the deceased victim in dirt up to his neck about 11 feet below the ground.
LAPD and Cal OSHA, which was not available for comment late Thursday, are investigating the fatal incident.
One construction worker was rescued safely from a trench in Pacific Palisades, but efforts to save the second victim were called off Thursday afternoon.
About 100 firefighters assisted in the rescue operation near 200 Temescal Canyon Road (map). The incident started about 1:30 p.m., according to a Los Angeles Fire Department alert.
Shortly before 3 p.m., a man wearing a construction vest was hoisted out of the trench and hospitalized in serious condition.
Firefighters then "moved from rescue mode to body recovery mode, which may last six to eight hours," Erik Scott wrote in an LAFD alert sent at 4:23 p.m.
Crews were clearing the scene at 11 p.m. in an effort to re-open the major thoroughfare between PCH and Sunset Boulevard in time for the morning commute.