Goodyear emergency responders working at the scene of a construction trench collapse, highlighting safety challenges.
A tragic trench collapse at a construction site in Goodyear, Arizona, led to the death of a worker after over 12 hours of rescue operations. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in the construction industry. Emergency services faced challenges due to unstable ground and underground infrastructure while trying to recover the trapped worker. An investigation by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health has been initiated, with families now grieving the loss.
An ongoing emergency incident in Goodyear, Arizona, concluded early morning on July 29 with the recovery of a construction worker’s body after a trench collapse that occurred approximately 12 hours earlier. The accident led to a full-scale rescue effort involving multiple agencies and highlights ongoing safety concerns in the construction industry.
The tragic event happened on July 28 at around 1:10 p.m. at a construction site near 183rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. The worker, identified as Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr., aged 44, became trapped when the trench he was working in collapsed, burying him under a significant amount of dirt. Immediate rescue efforts began with the worker’s colleagues, who attempted to free him before emergency services arrived.
The Goodyear Fire Department responded promptly, arriving at the scene within six minutes of the emergency call. Initial efforts to rescue Baquera were complicated due to unstable ground conditions and the presence of underground infrastructure, including utility gas lines, which posed additional risks to rescue workers.
Rescue teams included personnel from the Phoenix Fire Department’s technical rescue team and utility workers from Arizona Public Service (APS) and Southwest Gas. Despite the aggressive initial efforts, the trench continued to collapse during rescue attempts, which prompted a shift to a more cautious and methodical recovery approach after about 30 minutes. This careful method aimed to prevent further collapses and ensure the safety of rescue personnel.
Throughout the night, police secured the perimeter of the site to deter unauthorized access while rescue operations persisted. The prolonged effort spanned over 12 hours to allow for a safe and comprehensive recovery of Baquera’s body, which was finally extracted around 2 a.m. on July 29.
The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse, which is standard procedure in fatal construction accidents. The investigation is expected to take between four and five months to complete, with the findings providing insights into potential causes and safety lapses.
Industry safety specialists have indicated that with appropriate training and shoring equipment, such incidents are often preventable. The tragedy underscores ongoing safety challenges, particularly in relation to trench and excavation work, which has historically seen multiple fatalities in Arizona. Since 2019, at least three deaths have been recorded in the state due to trench collapses.
The local law enforcement and fire departments have extended condolences to Baquera’s family, friends, and coworkers. Baquera’s family, especially his mother and his two children, expressed profound grief and shock over his death. His loved ones shared that Baquera was passionate about his family and enjoyed activities with his children, emphasizing the personal tragedy behind the incident.
It is also noted that the worker’s employer was not identified as Rubicon Companies, who assisted with the recovery effort. The construction site where Baquera was working is part of a developing residential neighborhood featuring new single-family homes, indicating ongoing growth and construction activity in the area.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of strict safety practices, oversight, and proper training in high-risk construction activities. As authorities continue their investigation, the industry remains vigilant in reviewing safety protocols to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
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