A Hollister city employee was injured Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. while clearing out a homeless encampment along the railroad tracks near the San Benito Foods Cannery.
City Manager Bill Avera confirmed the injury of a female city employee at Railroad Way. He said he was not aware of the nature of the injury.
Heavy equipment may have been involved in the incident, according to a BenitoLink staff member onsite that morning. The employee was loaded on a stretcher and taken from the scene in an ambulance. However, Avera could not confirm the cause of injury.
Management Services Director Michael Chambless (who also oversees the Hollister Municipal Airport) was at the scene, but referred BenitoLink to Administrative Services for information on the incident.
Administrative Services Director Brett Miller declined to provide BenitoLink information related to the accident, saying the city does not disclose information on personnel. After several calls, Avera was the only city representative prepared to inform the public about the situation. He said the employee did not suffer serious injuries and was released from the hospital within a few hours.
The city has cleared out homeless encampments in the past located along the San Benito River, as well as near Vista Park Hill. There are currently over 520 homeless individuals in San Benito County, with the HOME Resource Center and My Father’s House providing shelter and other services.