IID employee dies during emergency response incident

The Imperial Irrigation District said one of its employees died during an emergency response incident.

IID said 32-year-old Jonathan Burnworth entered the Ash Canal at about 1:45 p.m. on Friday in response to a reported submerged vehicle and somehow lost consciousness while in the water.

He was transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center and later airlifted to UCSD Trauma Center in Hillcrest, where he passed away on Saturday.

Burnworth was a member of the Imperial Irrigation District’s dive team.

IID General Manager Kevin Kelley said, “At this time the district grieves with the Burnworth and West families on the loss of their loved one and of a valued IID employee. While we cannot say with precision what might have caused this tragic accident, that investigation is already under way and will no doubt be exhaustive.”

“In the meantime, though, we ‘re going to focus on the human aspect of this situation and do all we can as an organization to support these families and join with them in mourning this great loss.”