Boy Hurt in Cave-in Dies

A child who was hurt when a makeshift tunnel caved in on him has died, the sheriff's department announced today.

Anthony Fowler passed away at 3:04 p.m. on Monday at Rady's Children's Hospital in San Diego at age 11, according to sheriff's Sgt. Kevin McDonald.

He had been in an induced coma since the incident on Saturday, said Chris Brown, the father of Tyler Brown, another child involved in the incident.

Tyler and Anthony were digging the tunnel into a riverbank when the walls collapsed around 4:12 p.m. just southeast of Long Canyon Creek Park at 40356 N. General Kearny Rd.

Brown's son got away with only a few scratches and some emotional scarring. "It's more of a mental thing for him," his father said.

The surviving child had been partially outside the tunnel getting rid of soil when it fell in, said his father, Chris Brown.

"He had just headed out to pull dirt out," he said. "His body was buried, but his head and one arm were clear."

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The boy dug himself out and then started screaming for help as he tried to uncover his friend, who was completely buried, Brown said.

Two passers-by -- one with a 2-year-old daughter in tow -- rushed over and started digging.

Anthony was uncovered and rushed to Rancho Springs Medical Center, and then to Rady Children's Hospital, according to the sergeant.

The boys were good friends. They lived only a street apart from each other, and they had been playing together often for four years, Brown said.

"They'd get on their bikes, ride around and have adventures, like boys should," the father said.

Friends of Anthony's family opened an account to benefit other families who are victims of tragedy. Anybody wishing to give can deposit a donation in account number 9349493214 at Wells Fargo bank, send a Paypal payment to theorioncorp@gmail.com or mail a contribution to PO box 893522 Temecula, CA 92589.

Correction: The purpose of the Wells Fargo account is to help other families who are victims of tragedy. The purpose was misreported in an earlier version of this article.