Minnesota man dies while building ISP tower
August 23, 2010 - A Braham, Minn. tower technician was killed Saturday when the lift
truck he was on tipped over while he was installing a communications tower for an internet service provider.The Isanti County Sheriff's Office said that Mark Robert Anderson, 40, was assisting in the erection of a tower for Genesis Wireless at 3389 Helium St. NW in Wyanett Township when the Lull Telehandler - with the boom fully extended approximately 40 feet - fell over.
Anderson was transported to Cambridge Medical Center where he was pronounced dead of injuries he received in the fall.
Jay Richard Mankie, 47, of Braham, and owner and founder of Genesis Wireless, was operating the unit and suffered non life-threatening injuries.
Founded in Braham, Minn. in 1999, Genesis says it has a network of over 40 towers to offer their high speed wireless internet in East Central Minnesota.
"The accident was work related and that is why OSHA was called," said Isanti County Chief Deputy Bill Guenther."They will be doing an investigation to determine what happened. I can't speculate as to why the Telehandler tipped over and I believe that OSHA will determine that when they complete their investigation."
Assisting at the scene was Dalbo Fire and Rescue, Isanti County Fire and Rescue and Allina Ambulance.
A Funeral Service for Anderson will be held on Thursday, Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. at Stanchfield Baptist Church. A time of visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. at the church. Arrangements are with the Rock Ingebrand Funeral Home of Braham.
