UPDATE: Man killed in wall collapse at Hajoca identified
UPDATE: A man who died Wednesday morning after a retaining wall collapsed on a construction crew at the Hajoca parking lot in Hendersonville has been identified.
The individual who succumbed to his injuries at the scene has been identified as 37-year-old Marcelino Godofredo Rendon Hernandez, according to city of Hendersonville Communications Manager Allison Justus.
Hernandez was one of a five-man masonry crew with Robert Crawford Masonry working on the wall when it collapsed.
When first responders arrived, they found at least four of the men trapped under the wall. One crew member, who escaped on his own with minor injuries, told emergency personnel there were four crew members working with him.
Looking back: Henderson County s top stories in 2020
The past year managed to bring both hardships and victories to Henderson County.
Countless lives have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with thousands of reported cases, nearly 100 deaths, and many people losing their jobs due to the economic fallout from the pandemic.
The community lost some of its beloved leaders, including Henderson County Commissioner Charlie Messer, who died suddenly in July; former Fletcher Mayor Bill Moore; and Sheriff s Office deputy Ryan Hendrix, who was killed in the line of duty in September.
Some light has come out of 2020, from developments bringing jobs and housing to the county to increased calls for social justice and a focus on equality.
Henderson County considered critical for COVID cases; Surpasses 5,100
The number of COVID-19 cases in Henderson County since the start of the pandemic has surpassed 5,100.
As of Monday, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has identified 5,172 COVID-19 cases in Henderson County and reports 89 deaths linked to the virus.
Figures in surrounding counties continue to rise. A total of 8,893 cases and 144 deaths have been reported so far in Buncombe County; 868 cases and 10 deaths in Transylvania County; and 692 cases and 13 deaths in Polk County.
The average number of cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days in Henderson County is 1,054, significantly higher than neighboring counties. Buncombe County is at 714, with 515 for Transylvania County and 594 for Polk County.
An increase in local COVID-19 cases has prompted the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County to suspend operations until next month.
Effective Dec. 21, the club will be closed to members and is scheduled to reopen in-person programs on Thursday, Jan. 7 in tandem with the reopening of Henderson County Public Schools.
Ongoing operations remain contingent on community health and based on the direction of health officials, the organization stated in a news release.
“We’re doing everything possible to keep our club members and staff protected from the COVID-19 virus, particularly as community spread becomes more prevalent,” said Nicola Barksdale, president of the Club’s board of directors.
Nearly 100 cases of COVID-19 have now been linked to a holiday concert and celebration at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville over the Dec.5 weekend.
As of Monday afternoon, 94 cases have been identified, according to the Henderson County Department of Public Health. Last Thursday, 75 cases had been identified, and the health department was working to identify close contacts.
The church previously posted a statement on Facebook that said a 30-day pause was being placed on in-person worship. On Monday, the post could no longer be located on social media. News of the outbreak was met with significant negative public reaction last week.