KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Authorities have identified Francisco Rodriguez, 54, as the worker who tragically lost his life following a trench collapse at a construction site on Thursday, July 24, in Kansas City, Kansas.
Rodriguez, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, was employed by K&W Underground, a telecommunications contracting company based in Olathe. According to police and fire department officials, he was operating an excavator as part of a fiber optic installation project when he fell into the trench, which later collapsed.
Concern grew among coworkers when Rodriguez’s machinery stopped moving and he could not be located. The trench—estimated to be 16 to 18 feet wide and up to 25 feet deep—was discovered to have collapsed, prompting an emergency response around 2:15 p.m.
After hours of search and recovery efforts, Rodriguez was located at approximately 11:45 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement, Bill Reidy, president of K&W Underground, expressed sorrow and support:
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family, friends, and coworkers of the deceased during this incredibly difficult time. We are doing everything we can to support those affected by this tragedy.”
The incident is now under investigation by the Major Case Unit of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is conducting a separate inquiry into the collapse to determine its cause and evaluate any potential safety violations.
Reidy stated the company is “fully cooperating” with all agencies involved and reaffirmed their commitment to workplace safety:
“Safety is our highest priority, and we are committed to understanding exactly what happened and taking all necessary actions to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again.”
Rodriguez’s passing marks a heartbreaking loss for his family, coworkers, and the broader community, as questions remain about the circumstances leading to the fatal collapse.
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