‘Worst fear’: Man found dead in truck by his brother days after being injured at work

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) - Loved ones are remembering a man who died following a workplace injury and are reminding others to take such injuries more seriously.

According to family members, Bryan Castro, 28, was found dead in his truck days after an injury occurred while on the job.

Castro was the owner of PrimeScape Solutions, which did landscaping, demolition and tree trimming.

In June, the 28-year-old was working in Salina on a leaning tree following recent storms that passed through the area.

Bryan’s brother, Jesus, said he was at least 15 feet in the air on the tree when a branch came up, hit him in the ribs and knocked him off.

Loved ones said it took Castro several days before he went to the hospital, where he was told he had a bruised lung and was given a machine to help him breathe.

Castro’s fiancée, Beatriz, said he was in a lot of pain and was told to rest for a few days before eventually returning to work.

Jesue said the last time they spoke was about finishing a demolition project. However, Castro would never make it back home from that job.

Castro’s brother said he remembers passing him on the road that night, but no one was able to get hold of him.

Jesus said he went looking for his brother the next day, and that’s when he found him dead in his truck, pulled over just blocks away from home.

“I was hoping he was asleep, because we were all exhausted,” Jesus said. “I didn’t want to believe he was gone. I just wanted to say he was asleep. A brother’s worst fear happened.”

Castro’s family says that when he was found, his position in the truck looked like he was still in pain.

“Just get checked twice,” Jesus said, on advice he would give others. “If you are not sure about the first time or the doctors aren’t sure about the first time, go get checked a second time somewhere else, because you wake up one day -- or not even wake up one day.”

The Castro family says they are still waiting for the official cause of death, but said that following his injury, he was having a hard time breathing.

Foul play is not suspected in Castro’s death.

“I want to think that he tried to call me, and he tried to call for help,” Beatriz said. “He knew anytime he needed, I would be there.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to help support Castro’s family and his business.