Man in intensive care after being pinned by 16-foot cactus

A city of Yuma Utilities Department employee remains under intensive care after being seriously injured while responding to an emergency water leak earlier this week. City officials confirmed that William “Billy” Mason, a water distribution technician, was injured early on Tuesday morning while working with a crew that was repairing an emergency water leak in the Del Oro Estates subdivision.

A 16-foot saguaro from a nearby property struck and pinned the 40-year-old Mason while he was working, resulting in multiple injuries. After being freed, Mason was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he remains in intensive care.



According to his mother-in-law, Caroline Ashley, the falling cactus broke Mason's back and leg and injured his arm. He also suffered internal injuries and was running a fever. So far, 146 cactus spines had been pulled out of him but more remained. However, the full extent of his injuries are still unknown.

Ashley said the medical team treating Mason includes a pulmonologist, trauma orthopedic surgeon, regular orthopedic doctor, spinal specialist, general surgeon, infectious control doctor and hospitalist. The largest cactus in the United States, saguaros weigh between 3,200 pounds and 4,800 pounds despite having roots that are generally only four to six inches deep, anchored by a larger, single tap root.