Worker Dies After Trapped at Goodyear Construction Site

Tragic Incident at Goodyear Construction Site

A construction worker lost his life after becoming trapped in a trench at a site in Goodyear on July 29, according to the Goodyear Fire Department. The incident occurred on the outskirts of northwestern Goodyear, where a man was buried under dirt inside a trench at a developing neighborhood. A rescue operation was launched, which lasted until the man’s body was found the next morning.

First responders worked through a complex and dangerous rescue operation that ultimately ended with the discovery of the man's body. Ruben Real, a spokesperson for the Goodyear Fire Department, confirmed that the man was found dead during the efforts.

The Goodyear Police Department identified the man as Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr., 44, according to spokesperson Sgt. Mayra Reeson. Reeson noted that the man's last name was originally misspelled in information provided to the media.

Details of the Incident

The incident began on a regular Monday at a construction site when a worker became stuck in a trench near 183rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. According to Real, the event started around 1:10 p.m. on July 28. The Goodyear Fire Department responded within six minutes of receiving the call. Additional support came from the Goodyear Police Department, Phoenix Fire Department's technical rescue team, APS, and Southwest Gas workers.

Fire crews arrived and found workers actively trying to rescue their coworker, who was buried under a large amount of dirt. Despite their efforts, crews were unable to reach the man due to unstable conditions caused by the dirt. Real mentioned that the trench continued to collapse as dirt was removed, creating dangerous conditions for both the worker and the rescue teams.

After about 30 minutes, crews shifted to a more methodical recovery approach to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Police secured the area while crews worked through the night. Operations resumed into the evening, and with the help of heavy equipment from utility partners, the worker's body was recovered from the trench around 2 a.m. on July 29.

Real stated that the incident is still under investigation along with partner agencies.

Location of the Incident

The construction site was located near single-family homes being built in the area of 183rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. However, the specific type of construction the man was working on at the time of the accident remains unknown.

Identity of the Worker

The Goodyear Police Department dispatch system identified the worker as Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr., 44. The Goodyear Fire Department and Goodyear Police Department extended their deepest condolences to the worker’s family, friends, and coworkers during this difficult time. Goodyear Police also expressed similar sentiments.

Baquera's family declined to speak with The Arizona Republic at the scene.

Investigation into the Death

Goodyear Police were present at the scene. Additionally, the compliance division of the Industrial Commission of Arizona initiated its investigation on July 28, according to Charles Carpenter, a spokesman for the state’s workplace safety agency. The results of such an investigation typically take four to five months, with recommendations of citations and proposed penalties presented to the state board for approval.

Carpenter mentioned that any business can request free consulting services from the agency. Officers will offer training and conduct worksite inspections to discuss safety measures. "At least through consultation, you know where your deficiencies are," Carpenter said.

It is important to note that the consulting division does not share information with the compliance division, so businesses should not fear that anything witnessed during an inspection would be used against them in case of an accident.

Frequency of Trench Collapses

According to a database maintained by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, at least three people have died in construction-related trench collapses since 2019. Two men died in July 2020 while working in a trench as part of new home construction. One man died in Tucson in November 2019 while installing a pipe in a nine-foot trench that collapsed. A Tucson firefighter suffered injuries while attempting to rescue the trapped victim.