Authorities said that the technician who died was a member of a three man crew working on a cell site off of West Vann Rd. in Greeneville, Tenn. The 44-year-old man was 2014’s tenth industry fatality.
UPDATE: Authorities have identified the tower technician who fell approximately 100 feet from a cell tower in Greeneville, Tenn. yesterday as 44-year-old Allen Lee Cotton of Sumter, S.C.
Two of his co-workers from Central USA Wireless did not see him fall, according to Greeneville Police Officer Shawn Hinkle’s report which provided information regarding the 12:25 p.m. incident.
“Mr. Cotton was wearing safety equipment but it is unclear whether it was working properly,” the report said.
Co-worker Michael Gooch was also working on the opposite side of the tower and did not see him fall, according to the report.
Another co-worker on the three man crew, Richard Wright, was working on a computer in his truck at the time of the incident, which remains under investigation by Greeneville police and the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Wireless Estimator has identified that the workers were performing a project for Ericsson for their client, Sprint. The 197-foot monopole is owned by Crown Castle International.
Cotton is the 10th technician that was performing professional elevated services to die in 2014.
Central USA Wireless, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, did not return a request for additional information.
Although OSHA identifies that there have been 12 fatalities this year, their total includes a ham radio operator who was assisting a friend with his backyard antenna when he fell. In addition, they are also counting a fireman who was killed while on the ground when a tower collapsed upon him, according to an OSHA spokesperson.
