Authorities are investigating the death of a Santa Barbara restaurant worker after responding to a medical emergency Monday morning.
Police said officers, fire crews and paramedics responded to Ospi Montecito Restaurant, at 1809 Cabrillo Blvd., for a call of an unconscious male at 5:20 a.m.
Responders provided medical aid at the scene but the male “succumbed to the medical emergency and passed away,” the Santa Barbara Police Department said in a statement.
Police investigators said there were no obvious signs of foul play and the Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau will investigate the cause and manner of death.
The person’s name was not disclosed, pending notification of next of kin.
Ospi posted a statement on its Instagram page saying the restaurant would be closed Monday evening out of respect.
However, the Santa Barbara Independent previously reported that the restaurant opened Monday morning for its breakfast and lunch service and employees felt pressured to continue their shifts.
Ospi’s statement said the person who died was a member of an independent team working at the site who was not directly employed by the restaurant or Memento Mori Hospitality. He was a member of a third-party cleaning crew, the Independent reported.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” Ospi’s statement said.
“From the moment the incident occurred, we followed all protocols provided by the Santa Barbara Police Department and the Coroner’s Office, who confirmed that it was safe to reopen. We are also filing all appropriate reports with the relevant public health agencies.
“We will not be sharing further personal details at this time in order to protect the privacy of the individual and their family. We are actively exploring ways to support the family in the days ahead and will continue to keep them in our thoughts as we mourn this loss.”
Multiple people posted comments on the restaurant’s previous Instagram posts, calling management out for opening Monday after the onsite death.
Ospi opened in May in The Post development near the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge. The company also has restaurants in Venice, Brentwood and Costa Mesa.