Mother of 2 killed in tunnel collapse at California construction site

Twyla Capurro, 35, died in the collapse at the Canyon Tunnel Project site on Tuesday.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:41pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged construction hard hat, the harsh flash illuminating the worn, gritty texture of the material and conveying a sense of the sudden, serious nature of the incident.The tragic tunnel collapse at a critical California infrastructure project exposes the inherent dangers of complex underground construction.Modesto Today

A woman killed in a tunnel collapse at a construction site in northern California has been identified as a 35-year-old employee of the engineering and design firm involved in the project. Twyla Capurro died in the collapse at the Canyon Tunnel Project site on Tuesday, the Calaveras County Coroner's Office said.

Why it matters

The Canyon Tunnel Project is a critical $84 million infrastructure project to build a 12,106-foot tunnel to provide more reliable water access for homes and irrigation in the region. This tragic incident raises concerns about construction site safety and the potential impact on the overall project timeline.

The details

Capurro worked as a geologist for Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group, the engineering and design firm involved in the Canyon Tunnel Project. One other person was injured in the collapse, while a third person was unharmed. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is investigating the incident, and construction has been suspended at the site.

  • The tunnel collapse occurred on Tuesday, April 16, 2026.
  • Capurro's body was recovered late on Wednesday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Twyla Capurro

A 35-year-old employee of Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group who was killed in the tunnel collapse.

Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group

An engineering and design firm involved in the Canyon Tunnel Project.

South San Joaquin Irrigation District

One of the water agencies overseeing the Canyon Tunnel Project.

Oakdale Irrigation District

One of the water agencies overseeing the Canyon Tunnel Project.

Drill Tech

The construction company working on the Canyon Tunnel Project.

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What’s next

Cal/OSHA's investigation into the cause of the tunnel collapse is ongoing, and construction at the site remains suspended. The water agencies overseeing the project have expressed their condolences and are working with authorities and the construction team to determine next steps.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the inherent risks and safety challenges involved in major infrastructure projects, especially those involving complex underground construction. It will likely prompt renewed scrutiny of construction site safety protocols and the need for robust contingency planning to mitigate the impact of such accidents on critical public works initiatives.