KANSAS CITY, KANSAS — Authorities have identified the worker killed after a trench collapsed Thursday afternoon at a fiber optic installation site in Kansas City, Kansas.

Francisco Rodriguez, 54, of Kansas City, Kansas, was found dead late Thursday night after emergency crews worked for hours to recover his body from the collapsed trench. Rodriguez was an employee of K&W Underground, a telecommunications contractor based in Olathe, Kansas, according to company president Bill Reidy, who confirmed his identity Friday.

“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,” Reidy said in a written statement.

Rodriguez had been operating an excavator on the site near 16th Street and Metropolitan Avenue when the trench collapsed. According to Scott Schaunaman, spokesperson for the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department, co-workers noticed Rodriguez’s equipment had stopped moving and raised the alarm when they couldn’t locate him.

Emergency responders were dispatched at around 2:15 p.m. and worked into the night, eventually recovering Rodriguez’s body at approximately 11:45 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Schaunaman described the trench as located in uneven terrain, measuring 16 to 18 feet wide and up to 25 feet deep at its deepest point.

Hazard cones, caution tape, and orange netting now surround the excavation area where the fatal collapse occurred, according to images captured by local news outlets.

Investigation Underway

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department’s Major Case Unit has opened an investigation into Rodriguez’s death. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory agencies are investigating the cause of the collapse to determine whether safety violations occurred.

Reidy said the company is cooperating fully with the ongoing inquiries.

“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,” Reidy said.

A Reminder of Persistent Hazards

Trench collapses remain one of the deadliest hazards on construction sites, often leaving workers little chance to escape once soil shifts. According to OSHA, one cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a car, and unprotected trenches deeper than 5 feet require protective systems like trench boxes or sloping.

The fatal incident has shaken the local construction community and highlights the need for strict trench safety protocols, which continue to be a major focus for workplace safety agencies nationwide.

OSHA and state investigators are expected to release their findings in the coming weeks.

Originally reported by Construction Equipment.