Worker Killed In 1,000-Foot Fall From Newton Tower
NEWTON (CBS) - A worker fell 1,000 feet to his death from a tower in Newton on Wednesday.
A veteran crew of three men, working for Ultimate Tower Service, was doing routine maintenance work on the tower when one of the men fell.
"The wind, you know, can be a factor, but today's a pretty calm day, so the whole thing seems very bizarre and tragic," said Brenda Loew, a neighbor.
Sources told WBZ-TV that the surviving workers were almost too upset to talk to investigators.
WBZ-TV's Christina Hager reports.
Workers routinely wear safety harnesses to attach themselves to the tower.
The tower, located near Elliot and Needham Streets in Newton, is owned by American Tower and is used by two small TV stations and four local radio stations. American Tower has suspended work at the site.
"We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our contractors. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and co-workers during this difficult time. We are working closely with the relevant authorities and cooperating fully with all inquiries into the cause of this tragic accident," said American Tower, in a statement.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports
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The tower, at its peak, is 1,347 feet high.
The tower's contractor and owner have clean safety records that go back at least 10 years.
