News Summary
A construction site tragedy in Goodyear, Arizona, led to the death of a worker trapped in a trench. Recovery operations extended over 12 hours, faced with difficult ground conditions. The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health has begun an investigation into the incident as community members mourn the loss of the worker, a father of two.
Goodyear Worker Dies After Trench Collapse; Recovery Operations Span Over 12 Hours
A tragic construction site incident in Goodyear, Arizona resulted in the death of a worker after he was trapped in a trench on July 28. The victim, identified as Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr., 44, succumbed to injuries after being buried under a large amount of dirt. Recovery operations commenced promptly but were hampered by challenging conditions.
The incident occurred around 1:10 p.m. near 183rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. The initial emergency call was responded to by the Goodyear Fire Department within six minutes, which began rescue efforts immediately. Fellow workers attempted to assist Baquera before official emergency services arrived; however, the trench’s instability rendered the rescue chaotic and dangerous.
Rescue attempts faced immediate challenges due to poor ground conditions and the presence of sensitive underground infrastructure, including utility gas lines. This prompted officials to change their strategy after approximately 30 minutes. Rather than hastily digging through the dirt, they opted for a more methodical recovery approach to minimize further collapse.
The rescue operations were extensive and continued for over 12 hours through the night. Unfortunately, Baquera’s body was not recovered until around 2 a.m. on July 29, with the operation requiring the collaboration of various agencies. Response teams included the Goodyear Police Department, a special technical rescue team from the Phoenix Fire Department, and utility workers from APS and Southwest Gas.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) has initiated an investigation into the incident. These investigations typically take between four to five months to conclude, during which time details regarding safety protocols and the circumstances leading to the collapse will be thoroughly assessed.
Baquera’s passing has devastated his family, especially his two children and his mother, who reflected on his love for family-oriented activities. The Goodyear Fire and Police Departments have extended their condolences to Baquera’s family, friends, and coworkers during this difficult time.
Industry experts have indicated that such accidents can often be prevented with appropriate training and the use of shoring equipment designed to stabilize trenches. Similar incidents have raised concerns about construction site safety in Arizona, where at least three additional fatalities related to trench collapses have been reported since 2019.
Despite the involvement of various personnel during the recovery efforts, Rubicon Companies, which assisted in the operation, clarified that Baquera was not employed by them or their subcontractors. The construction site where the incident took place is part of a developing neighborhood, with new single-family homes currently under construction nearby.
This unfortunate event highlights ongoing concerns regarding safety protocols in the construction industry, as the investigation by ADOSH aims to uncover specific details that could lead to improved safety measures in the future.
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Additional Resources
- AZCentral: Goodyear Construction Worker Dies
- ABC15: Recovery Efforts at Goodyear Construction Site
- 12 News: Goodyear Construction Worker Identified
- ABC15: AM Roundup on Goodyear Trench Collapse
- Wikipedia: Construction Accidents
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Construction
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