West Virginia became a great state through the rise of industry, but sometimes those industrial projects have come at a great cost. One tragic story happened on Willow Island on the Ohio River near Belmont, West Virginia. The accident was likely the deadliest construction disaster in the history of the United States.
The Pleasants Power Station near Belmont, West Virginia has provided electricity to West Virginia for many years, but it has a dark history.
WikiMedia Commons/Brian M. Powell
On April 27, 1978, one of the cooling towers was being constructed when a tragic accident happened.
Flickr/Andrew Griffith The tower was 166 feet high when a crane lifting the concrete toppled against the tower, causing the newest concrete to fall into the center of the tower where the workers were.
51 people fell from the collapse of the tower and were instantly killed.
WikiMedia Commons/Snoopywv An investigation of the construction project showed many lapses in safety procedures.
OSHA cited Willow Island contractors for 20 safety violations. The cases were settled for $85,500, or about $1,700 per worker killed. Although a criminal investigation also took place, ultimately no criminal charges were filed. A monument now stands to honor the dead.
WikiMedia Commons/Brian M. Powell
Flickr/Andrew Griffith
The tower was 166 feet high when a crane lifting the concrete toppled against the tower, causing the newest concrete to fall into the center of the tower where the workers were.
WikiMedia Commons/Snoopywv
An investigation of the construction project showed many lapses in safety procedures.
Here’s a video with more information about the tragic accident.
For another disaster in West Virginia, read about the Buffalo Creek Flood that took out several towns after the collapse of a makeshift dam.
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