Construction worker dies after falling from tower

DAILY LEADER / LYNDY BERRYHILL / Yellow security tape was stretched across the entrance gate to the Ingram Street water tower Wednesday after an accident earlier in the day left a construction worker dead.

DAILY LEADER / LYNDY BERRYHILL / Yellow security tape was stretched across the entrance gate to the Ingram Street water tower Wednesday after an accident earlier in the day left a construction worker dead.

A construction worker died after falling while working on the water tower at 246 Ingram St. in Brookhaven late Wednesday morning.

John T. Johnson, 41, originally from Du Pont, Georgia, was an employee of Southeast Tank and Tower. The Lake Park, Georgia-based company specializes in the repair and renovation of water storage tanks.

The Georgia company was contracted to sandblast and repaint the tower on Ingram Street.

DAILY LEADER / JULIA V. PENDLEY / The Ingram Street water tower is shown Thursday after an accident on Wednesday at the tower left a construction worker dead.

DAILY LEADER / JULIA V. PENDLEY / The Ingram Street water tower is shown Thursday after an accident on Wednesday at the tower left a construction worker dead.

Lincoln County coroner Clay McMorris said Johnson was transported to King’s Daughters Medical Center Emergency Room where he died at 11:33 a.m.

Detective Clint Earls of the Brookhaven Police Department said Johnson was working with a crew when he fell from a scaffolding and plunged 70 to 90 feet. Earls said federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration personnel will arrive later in the day Thursday to investigate the scene of the accident.

Earls stated that no foul play was suspected.

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