Another farm worker dies from heat illness (‘The black summer for farm workers’ )

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=9465

Jorge Herrera, 37, of Delano died Thursday afternoon at San Joaquin Community Hospital in Bakersfield, according to the United Farm Workers Union. He had been hospitalized since July 9 after collapsing due to heatstroke, the union says.

He is the fifth California farm worker to die of heat-related illness this year,

Mr. Herrera had been loading table grapes when he became ill, the union says.

During the past two weeks he had shown some signs of improvement but had suffered kidney failure and brain damage and remained in critical condition. He had a core body temperature of 108 degrees when he was taken to the hospital, according to the UFW.

Originally from El Triunfo, Michoacan, Mexico, Mr. Herrera leaves his wife and two young children who live in Delano.

“This summer will be remembered as the black summer for farm workers. Jorge’s death marks the fifth worker to die in just under three months. How many more must die or fall gravely ill before the governor realizes not enough is being done to protect farm workers,” says Arturo Rodriguez, UFW president.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

[pop goes the weasel]

1. so sad

This has been a hard summer for outdoor workers of all sorts.