Latest news with #trenchcollapse
Daily Mail
02-08-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Construction worker buried alive on site
By Published: Updated: An Arizona construction worker died on the job after being trapped beneath six feet of collapsing earth. Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr., or 'Ronnie,' 44, was working at a site in Goodyear on Monday when a trench suddenly collapsed. He was left trapped beneath six to seven feet of fast-moving dirt, according to AZ Central. Emergency crews arrived at the construction site at around 1pm within six minutes of receiving a call about a man trapped in a ditch. When the Goodyear Fire Department arrived, they found coworkers urgently struggling to free Baquera, who was buried beneath a massive, crushing weight of dirt. Rescue crews quickly recognized that the massive load of dirt above Baquera was creating dangerously unstable conditions within the trench. Because of sensitive infrastructure on site - including gas lines - crews were forced to slow their rescue efforts and use specialized equipment. At approximately 2am on July 29 - more than 12 hours after Baquera became trapped - crews successfully recovered his body from the trench. Fred Gonzalez was working in a trench with his 18-year-old son just feet from the one that collapsed only days earlier. Baquera leaves behind two sons and a daughter. Nate Costly, a childhood friend, organized a vigil on Friday. 'Ronnie was a loving father and a loyal friend - brutally honest, endlessly caring, and unforgettable,' Costly wrote in a heartfelt tribute to Facebook. 'He will be deeply missed.' Just hours before the vigil, construction crews were still active at the site, smoothing freshly poured sidewalks, while a bulldozer rested on a patch of dirt only feet from newly planted grass. Shatera Williams, who had known Baquera since she was 10, honored his life by singing a soulful gospel song, as reported by AZ Central. Echoing the sentiments of many, Williams described Baquera as a 'fixer' - someone who would 'fix things with laughter or his hands'. On the same day as the tragedy, the Industrial Commission of Arizona - along with partner agencies - launched an investigation into whether there were safety violations at the site, according to ABC 15. Charles Carpenter, a spokesman for the state's workplace safety agency, emphasized that investigation results typically take four to five months to be finalized. A GoFundMe page has been created to support the family with funeral and memorial expenses during this difficult time. 'Ronnie Baquera was a fun-loving, hard-working man who would do anything to help those around him,' the description reads. 'His warm heart, generous spirit, and unwavering dedication to his family and friends touched everyone who knew him.' By Saturday afternoon, the fundraiser had already raised $25,175 toward its $30,000 goal.
CBS News
20-06-2025
- CBS News
Officials investigate fatal trench collapse at Kaufman County construction site
Officials are investigating the cause of a trench collapse at a Kaufman County construction site that left one worker dead earlier this week. The victim, Abraham Gomez Cruz, 38, of Hutchins, died after the collapse occurred just before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 1000 block of North State Highway 198 in Mabank, according to the Mabank Police Department. Rescue crews from Mabank extricated Cruz and performed life-saving measures before he was transported to UT Health Cedar Creek Lake in Gun Barrel City, where he was later pronounced dead, police said. Occupational safety officials are working to determine the cause of the collapse. "This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of Mr. Gomez during this incredibly difficult time," Mabank police said in a news release. CBS News Texas will provide additional details as they become available.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Man dead after worksite trench collapse in Melbourne
A man has died after becoming trapped when a trench collapsed on a worksite. Emergency services were called to the site on Quinns Road in Kilmore, 65km north of Melbourne about 11.30am on Friday. Victoria Police confirmed a man died at the scene, but did not release further details. A report will be prepared for the coroner and WorkSafe officials will investigate the incident. More to come.
ABC News
13-06-2025
- ABC News
Worker dead in Kilmore trench collapse on housing development site north of Melbourne
A worker has died after a trench collapsed on a worksite at Kilmore, north of Melbourne. Emergency services were called to a rural property on Quinns Road about 11:30am on Friday. It was believed the earthworks were being carried out to prepare the site for a new housing estate. Police say the male worker died at the scene. A report will be prepared for the coroner. WorkSafe will investigate the incident.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Calgary plumbing company in court next month for charges related to worker's death
A Calgary company faces charges under Alberta occupational health and safety laws following the death of a worker in a trench collapse two years ago. Liam Johnston died while doing sewer repairs in the community of Charleswood on June 8, 2023. The Calgary Fire Department said at the time that the 27-year-old climbed down a ladder into a three- to six-metre-deep hole to access a line when a large amount of dirt and debris fell on top of him. It took several hours to remove his body. A spokesperson for Alberta Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, on behalf of Alberta Occupational Health and Safety, confirmed the charges. 'It is always tragic when a worker dies on the job. Our government's goal is to have all workers return home healthy and safe after every workday,' the spokesperson said. 'Mr. Mike's Plumbing Ltd. is charged with 11 counts under occupational health and safety laws in connection with this incident. 'First appearance is scheduled for July 22, 2025, in the Calgary Court of Justice.' The 11 charges against Mr. Mike's Plumbing Ltd. include: Section 3(1)(a)(i) of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of a worker engaged in the work of that employer, by failing to ensure that they were protected from the collapse of a wall of an excavation; Section 3(1)(a)(i) of the OHS Act, failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their worker by failing to sufficiently or at all stabilize a wall of an excavation to prevent its collapse; Section 3(1)(a)(i) of the OHS Act, failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their worker by failing to ensure a wall of an excavation was sufficiently cut back or temporary protective structures were installed to prevent collapse of the wall on the worker; Section 3(1)(a)(i) of the OHS Act, failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their worker by failing to implement or monitor the implementation of a safe work procedure for the task of working in and around an excavation; Section 443(1)(a) of the OHS Code, where provisions of section 443(2) of the OHS Code were not applicable, failed to stabilize the soil in an excavation at its work site by shoring or cutting back, contrary to section 443(1)(a) of the OHS Code; Section 446(2) of the OHS Code, failure to ensure a worker did not enter an excavation that did not comply with Part 32 of the OHS Code by failing to comply with section(s) 443(1)(a) and/or 450(1) and/or 456(1), contrary to section 446(2) of the OHS Code; Section 450(1) of the OHS Code, failure to ensure that before a worker began working in an excavation that was more than 1.5 metres deep and closer to the wall or bank than the depth of the excavation, that the worker was protected from cave-ins or sliding or rolling material; Section 456(1)(b) of the OHS Code, failure to ensure temporary protective structures in an excavation more than three metres deep were designed, constructed and installed in accordance with the specifications of a professional engineer; Section 7(2) of the OHS Code, failure to prepare a report of the results of the hazard assessment and the methods used to control and eliminate the hazards identified; Section 7(4)(c) of the OHS Code, failure to ensure the hazard assessment was repeated when a work process or operation changed; and Section 9(1) of the OHS Code, failure where an existing or potential hazard to workers was identified during a hazard assessment, failed to take measures to eliminate the hazard, or if elimination was not reasonably practicable, to control the hazard. The Alberta Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration spokesperson said no further comment or information can be provided at this time, as 'the matter is before the court.'
