VALDEZ, Francisco Doral (Poncho)

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg Arizona December 21, 1972 Worker on Ry. Project Dies in Fall - Francisco Doral (Poncho) Valdez, 31, died Thursday afternoon from injuries received when he fell from the front of a fork lift on which he was riding. Mr. Valdez, a Mexican national, was employed by B&J Services Co. of Phoenix. The company had purchased the railroad ties of which the Santa Fe is disposing. Valdez was helping to load the ties near Wittmann at the time of the accident. The fork lift was traveling alongside the tracks at approximately 15 miles an hour when Valdez was thrown and fell in front of it. He was taken to Boswell Hospital where he was pronounced dead according to Sheriff’s Sergeant Jim Mason. Valdez had only worked for the firm for a few days. Arrangements for Valdez to be taken back to his home land of Mexico are being made by the Mexican Consulate.