California Surveyors Forums

From an email by Deputy County Surveyor Larry Fontana, PLS:

On Thursday afternoon, June 23, 2016, a tragic accident took one of our own. Scotty Atchinson, Party Chief for the Stanislaus County Surveyors Office, while accessing a monument well on Claribel Road, east of Albers Road was struck by an east bound pickup. Scotty was killed instantly by the impact.
Scotty was with our office for 5 years, he previously worked for Mid-Vally Engineering (MVE), Associated Engineering, and in his home-land of New Zealand. Scotty was full of life, a friend to all and will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Larry S. Fontana PLS
Associate Surveyor
Deputy County Surveyor
Stanislaus County Public Works

This is a reminder of the dangers we can face on a daily basis. Do what you can to keep yourselves and your people safe.

From the Modesto Bee:

"Russell Scott Atchinson, 58, of Modesto was alone and on his hands and knees over the manhole on Claribel when he was hit by a GMC Sierra pickup, said California Highway Patrol Lt. J.D. Frost.

The driver, 66-year-old John Masellis of Hughson, had just crested the top of a slight rise in the road over the Claribel Lateral Canal when he spotted Atchinson in the road.

Atchinson looked up at him and Masellis applied the brakes, but it was too late for either to avoid the accident. Atchinson died at the scene."

Please extend condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Russell Scott Atchinson on behalf of the California Land Surveyors Association. We are all saddened by the news.

We will acknowledge "Scotty" with a moment of silence at our next Board of Directors meeting on July 30th.

Roger Hanlin
CLSA President

Saddened by the loss but we need to keep ourselves safe. 60 mph is 88 ft/second to react and stop a vehicle at that speed takes 308 ft. If you are in the street, esp in a lane like the pic shows you need lots of cones and a spotter. AND THE SPOTTER NEEDS TO BE WATCHING TRAFFIC NOT THE GUY ON HIS KNEES. I have seen three and four man crews with one guy on his knees and the rest with their back to traffic watching the guy kneeling.
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