SANTA CLARITA, Cal. (NBC) - The Oxnard, California fire department confirmed Wednesday night that a student from Masters College in Santa Clarita was killed after a large sand pit collapsed on him earlier in the day.

The Master's College student, whose name was not immediately released, died from injuries he suffered when the pit that he and other students had dug caved in around him at Oxnard Beach Park.

"I think the kids were just having fun on the beach," said Battalion Chief Darwin Base of the Oxnard Fire Department. "There was a big group of them down there. They were taking pictures of each other and from what I understand the individual was laying back in the pit and taking pictures of his fellow students and that's when it sloughed and came in on him."

The 20 year old was pronounced dead at Ventura County Medical Center.

Officials said the student had spent the day at the beach with a group of other students.

Witnesses said the pit in the sand was about six feet deep.

It was not immediately known why it collapsed.

Witnesses said it took at least 15 minutes to reach the victim.