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Exchange Student From Korea Dies After Sand Pit Collapses On Him

OXNARD (CBSLA.com) — A 20-year-old exchange student from Korea died at Oxnard Beach Park Wednesday after the pit he was digging collapsed, burying him under six feet of sand, authorities reported.

The student was with other students from Masters College digging a large pit in the sand outside the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort, Oxnard Fire Department Battalion Chief Rod Thorp told CBS2/KCAL9.

The victim was laying at the bottom of the pit, which bystanders say was at least six feet deep, when it collapsed on top of him, Thorp said.

Firefighters were reportedly called at 4:50 p.m. and arrived four minutes later. Firefighters worked with hand tools to dig the victim out but it took fifteen minutes to reach him, officials reported.

The man was given CPR and transported to Ventura County Medical Center. He was pronounced dead after several attempts to revive him failed.

Authorities said the student was from Korea but were waiting to notify relatives before releasing further details.

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