Calif. Man Digs For Gold In Front Yard : Hole Is 60 Feet Deep
Source: www.nbcsandiego.com
POSTED: 1:03 pm PDT June 14, 2006
UPDATED: 1:06 pm PDT June 14, 2006
MONTCLAIR, Calif. -- A California man digging for gold in his front yard said he got "carried away" and ended up with a 60-foot-deep hole, authorities said.
Norm Enrique, 63, bought a metal detector that he believed indicated there was gold in his yard, so he began digging near his front patio. He told authorities he only intended to go down three or four feet.
Fire officials called to the scene Tuesday found two men hired by Enrique inside the unreinforced hole. They were using a bucket and rope to remove dirt.
"We told him, 'You're done,"' said Montclair fire Capt. Rich Baldwin. "It's amazing no one got killed."
Authorities fenced off Enrique's property.
Officials from the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration were expected to visit the property Wednesday to determine how to shore up and fill the hole, authorities said.
Enrique will be required to hire and pay for a licensed engineer, Baldwin said.
