Alan Herrarte Obituary, Death – A tragic accident at a sandpit facility in Atascosa County, Texas, claimed the life of a young worker on Thursday morning. Authorities have identified the victim as 25-year-old Alan Herrarte, who was killed in a mudslide while operating heavy machinery at the Signal Peak Silica site located near Poteet.
The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) confirmed Herrarte’s identity on Friday, following information provided by his family. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. at the sand plant situated at 16760 State Highway 16 in northern Atascosa County. According to reports from the sheriff’s office, Herrarte was operating heavy equipment at the base of a deep sandpit when the ground gave way, triggering a sudden and powerful mudslide.
The force of the mudslide caused the machinery Herrarte was operating to overturn. In the process, the cab of the equipment was inundated with mud and sand, leaving him trapped inside. The sheriff’s office reported that multiple other pieces of heavy equipment in the area were immobilized due to the debris and instability of the site, severely hampering rescue efforts.
Despite the efforts of local first responders, including deputies from the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Poteet Fire Department, Herrarte was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency personnel worked carefully and in coordination to recover his body, facing considerable challenges due to the dangerous terrain and heavy machinery involved.
As of now, the exact cause of the mudslide remains unknown. Investigators have not yet determined what triggered the collapse of the pit walls, but an investigation is underway. Such incidents, though uncommon, highlight the risks involved in operating equipment in environments like sandpits or quarries where the stability of the ground can be unpredictable.
Signal Peak Silica, the company that owns the facility where the accident took place, issued a brief public statement expressing condolences. “We can confirm there was an incident that included a fatality this morning, May 1, at our sand plant in Poteet, Texas,” the statement said. “We are working with county emergency response officials to manage the situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, who was an employee of a third-party contractor.”
Herrarte was not a direct employee of Signal Peak Silica but worked for a contracted company providing services at the site. His death marks a devastating loss for his family, coworkers, and the wider community.
This fatal incident has drawn attention to workplace safety protocols at industrial sites, particularly those involving excavation or mining activities. Sand and gravel operations, while critical to construction and infrastructure industries, often present complex safety challenges. Risks such as cave-ins, equipment failure, and ground instability require constant monitoring and adherence to strict safety procedures.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may become involved in the investigation to determine if any safety regulations were violated and whether preventive measures could have been taken to avoid the disaster. Such reviews often include assessments of the company’s safety records, the condition of the equipment in use, and whether the terrain was adequately secured.
Locals in Atascosa County and nearby Poteet have expressed sorrow at the news of Herrarte’s death. Social media posts and community comments have described him as a hardworking young man, and some have called for increased oversight of industrial operations in the area.
The Sheriff’s Office has stated that further information will be released as the investigation progresses. For now, the focus remains on understanding what led to the deadly mudslide and preventing similar incidents in the future.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by workers in industrial and construction settings. It also underscores the importance of rigorous safety standards, effective training, and emergency preparedness in environments where the terrain and machinery pose serious risks.
As the community mourns the loss of Alan Herrarte, authorities continue to seek answers and accountability. Emergency crews and investigators will likely remain on-site in the coming days to secure the area and complete their evaluations.
Herrarte’s family has not released a public statement at this time, but community members have begun organizing efforts to support them in the wake of the tragedy. Local churches and organizations may hold memorials or fundraisers to assist with funeral expenses and offer condolences.
More details are expected to emerge as the investigation continues. In the meantime, county officials and Signal Peak Silica have pledged to cooperate fully with any inquiries related to the accident.
