Bellagio F1 Grandstand Worker Died by Accidentally Sawing His Own Neck

The police report reveals a grizzly new detail in the cause of death of Tizoc Antonio. The 27-year-old ironworker died on Sept. 23, while building a grandstand in front of the Bellagio for the upcoming Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix grandstands at the Bellagio fountains as they appeared on Oct. 3. (Image: Scott Roeben/Vital Vegas)

According to the report obtained by KLAS-TV, Antonio was using an electric circular saw to cut through wood at ground level on the north side of the Bellagio fountains. When he accidentally hit metal, the razor-sharp saw flew out of his hands and into his neck.

Las Vegas police say that several witnesses tried applying pressure to the deep laceration, which bled profusely, but the bleeding couldn’t be stopped, and Antonio lost consciousness. At that time, no pulse could be found, and Antonio’s colleagues attempted chest compressions until an ambulance came.

Antonio arrived at University Medical Center Hospital at 6:02 a.m. in critical condition. He was pronounced dead at 12:24 p.m.

Investigation Continue

While OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) continues looking into the incident, police said their investigation concluded that it was an accident with no signs of foul play or negligence.

Antonio was only hours into his first day on the job. However, the Ironworkers Local 433 member had previously worked on several Las Vegas projects — including the Sphere and Durango Casino & Resort.

Previously, Casino.org reported that Antonio died from a “major laceration to the neck,” but the specific details were not known.

Corey Levitan joined Casino.org in 2022 after a long career covering Las Vegas. He currently covers entertainment, dining and gaming news in Las Vegas.

Corey spent six years covering the Vegas Strip for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, where he also wrote the most popular humor column in the city’s history. (For “Fear and Loafing,” he tried out 176 Vegas jobs, including poker player, blackjack dealer and Follie Bergere dancer.)

Corey has won more than 100 local, state and national awards for his journalism, which has also appeared in Rolling Stone, New York Magazine and the New York Post.

Corey is a New York native whose hobbies include playing guitar, trying to be a better husband, and arguing with strangers on Facebook.

Contact Corey at corey@casino.org.

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