Edmond PD Releases 911 Call Made During Deadly Construction Accident

Edmond police release the emotional 911 call made Friday afternoon for a construction worker trapped dozens of feet below the surface.

Friday afternoon, fellow construction workers frantically tried to free Roberto Ochoa trapped 20 feet below in dirt that caved in around him. It took rescue workers nearly 10 hours to reach the victim's body.

Dispatcher: 911. What is your emergency?

Caller: Yeah, I've got a man covered up.

Dispatcher: A man covered up?

Caller: Yes, Dirt. He's in the ditch bank.

The crew was digging along Sooner Road just south of Danforth to install new sewer lines Friday afternoon when the ditch caved in on Ochoa.

When workers couldn't get him out they called for help from first responders.

Dispatcher: Is he breathing?

Caller: I don't know. He's covered up.

Dispatcher: And he's in a ditch?

Caller: Yes.

While on hold with an Edmond 911 dispatcher, you can hear panic and fear set in.

Caller: Oh my god. Oh my god. I should have been over here watchin'. Dadgumit.

An Edmond fire search and rescue team finally reached Ochoa's body around 2:15 a.m. Saturday, trapped under at least six feet of dirt.

Ochoa's family is still grieving and told News 9 he was a family man, who loved playing in his church's band, and was a man of God.

On Tuesday afternoon, the construction site sat empty looking nearly untouched from the desperate attempts made to rescue Ochoa.

The Edmond Fire Department is still working to complete its accident report, though police said they do not have any reason to suspect this was anything more than an accident.