News Summary
A multi-agency operation is underway in Goodyear following an incident where a construction worker became trapped in a hole at a site. Fire and rescue teams responded promptly, but complications from collapsing dirt and nearby utility lines turned initial rescue efforts into a recovery operation. The situation remains serious, with authorities committed to recovering the individual safely amidst ongoing challenges.
Goodyear – A multi-agency recovery operation is in progress after a construction worker became trapped in a hole at a construction site near 183rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. The Goodyear Fire Department received an emergency call about the incident at approximately 1:10 p.m. on July 28, leading to immediate response efforts.
The worker is trapped in a hole estimated to be between 6 and 7 feet deep. As of the latest updates, there has been no confirmation regarding the worker’s status. The situation has been deemed complex and potentially dangerous, resulting in rescuers not being able to make physical contact with the individual during the initial stages of the operation.
The Goodyear Fire Department responded to the emergency call within six minutes, coordinating efforts with multiple agencies, including the Goodyear Police Department, the Phoenix Fire Department’s technical rescue team, Arizona Public Service (APS), and Southwest Gas workers. However, as efforts continued, additional dirt collapsed into the excavated area, turning the operation from a rescue mission into one focused on recovery within approximately 30 minutes following the incident.
Compounding the complications, utility lines for gas, water, and communication were found to be located below the hole where the worker was trapped. This necessitated the diversion and shutdown of several utility services to ensure the safety of the rescue personnel and the trapped individual.
As recovery efforts continued through the day and evening, Goodyear Deputy Chief Jose Gonzalez expressed heartfelt condolences for the worker’s family and colleagues. Police have stated that recovery operations will persist until a successful extraction is achieved. Fire crews remain in communication with utility companies to accurately identify the locations of the utility lines to facilitate the recovery process.
As a precautionary measure, Lower Buckeye Road has been closed in both directions in the vicinity of the construction site to ensure the safety of the public and the teams working on the ground. While authorities are committed to following safety protocols and conducting the recovery sensitively, no additional details have been released regarding the worker’s identity or the specific circumstances surrounding the incident at this time.
The precise nature of the construction work being undertaken at the time of the accident remains undisclosed. As of Monday evening, recovery operations are still ongoing. Rescuers remain focused on safely addressing the situation in what has become a painstaking undertaking, demonstrating the challenges faced in such delicate circumstances.
This incident reflects the inherent risks associated with construction work, underscoring the necessity for stringent safety measures and protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future. Community members and local officials continue to offer support to the worker’s family as the recovery efforts persist.
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Additional Resources
- AZ Central
- Wikipedia: Construction
- AZ Family
- Google Search: Goodyear construction worker incident
- Fox 10 Phoenix
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Construction site safety
- KTAR News
- Google News: Goodyear construction site incident
- ABC 15
- Google Scholar: Construction safety protocols
- 12 News
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
