Tragic Incident at Goodyear Construction Site Claims Life

News Summary

A worker was tragically killed in a trench collapse at a Goodyear construction site. Efforts to rescue him were hampered by unstable ground conditions and buried utility lines. The accident has prompted an investigation into safety protocols in the construction industry. Friends and family mourn the loss of a devoted father, raising concerns over trench safety regulations.

Goodyear, Arizona – A tragic incident at a construction site in Goodyear led to the death of a worker who became trapped in a trench on July 29. The accident, which occurred on July 28 around 1:10 p.m. at a site near 183rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, resulted in the worker being buried under a significant amount of dirt.

The victim has been identified as Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr., age 44. Emergency response teams, including the Goodyear Fire Department and the Phoenix Fire Department’s technical rescue team, were on the scene within six minutes of the emergency call. Despite the rapid response, rescue efforts faced challenges due to unstable ground conditions and the presence of sensitive underground infrastructure, including utility gas lines.

Before official emergency services arrived, Baquera’s coworkers initiated rescue attempts. However, the trench continued to collapse during these efforts, forcing rescuers to change their approach to a more systematic recovery operation after approximately 30 minutes. Police secured the area, ensuring safety as recovery efforts continued into the night.

After more than 12 hours of strenuous efforts, Baquera’s body was finally recovered at around 2 a.m. on July 29. The response teams worked meticulously due to the risk posed by the unstable ground and the proximity of gas lines. The situation necessitated a careful and methodical approach, with support from utility workers from APS and Southwest Gas.

The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Results from this investigation are expected to take four to five months before they are finalized and released to the public.

The Goodyear Fire and Police Departments have expressed their condolences to Baquera’s family, friends, and coworkers. Family members expressed shock and profound grief over the loss, especially highlighting Baquera’s role as a devoted father to two children and a family-oriented individual who enjoyed engaging in activities with his loved ones.

According to an industry safety expert, the accident might have been preventable with adequate training and proper use of shoring equipment designed to prevent trench collapses. Such incidents are alarming, as there have been at least three deaths resulting from construction-related trench collapses in Arizona since 2019.

It is important to clarify that the deceased worker was not employed by Rubicon Companies, which aided in the recovery efforts but does not have any direct association with Baquera or his work. The construction site where the incident occurred is part of an ongoing development project aimed at building new single-family homes in the area.

This tragic event underscores the critical importance of safety protocols in construction practices, particularly regarding trench work. As the investigation by ADOSH continues, further examination into safety measures and regulations concerning trench safety may be prompted to prevent future accidents.

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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