Wednesday, July 4, 2001

100-foot fall kills water tank worker By JOHN MUNFORD jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com A construction worker fell over 100 feet to his death Monday morning at the site of Fayette County's newest water tower. The victim, David G. Rhodes, 47, of Phil Campbell, Ala., was pronounced dead on the scene, said Capt. Pete Nelms of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Rhodes, an employee of Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, fell while moving a ladder he was on, said Fayette County Chief Marshal Butch Hall. Officials have ruled out foul play in the accident. Rhodes was working on the inside of the tower when the incident occurred, Nelms said. Since Rhodes wasn't tethered to a stationary object and he was tied to the ladder he fell with the ladder, Hall said. The new tower is being built next to the current tower at the intersection of Ga. Highway 92 north and Lees Mill Road. Rhodes was temporarily living in Palmetto while working on the tower, Hall noted. What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page