Worker Dies at Kennedy Space Center

NASA contract worker dies at Kennedy Space Center while working on a launch pad, on Monday morning.
Worker Dies at Kennedy Space Center
Mary Silver
3/14/2011
Updated:
3/14/2011

NASA announced that a worker died on a launch pad in Florida on the morning of March 14. He was James D. Vanover, an engineer. He was a contract worker for United Space Alliance. He fell at about 7:40 a.m. at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A. Emergency medical personnel were not able to revive him.

United Space Alliance Chief Executive Officer Virginia Barnes expressed her sorrow and sympathy in an official statement. “Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Mr. Vanover,” Barnes said. “Our focus right now is on providing support for the family, and for his coworkers.” NASA said in a statement, “Right now our focus is on our workers and for the family of the USA employee.”

Work on the launch pad was suspended, and workers received employee assistance and counseling.

The cause of the incident is being investigated. Barnes stated, “We are also providing our full support to investigating officials in order to determine the cause of the incident as quickly as possible. Until that investigation is complete, it would be inappropriate to provide further comment on the details.”

 

Mary Silver writes columns, grows herbs, hikes, and admires the sky. She likes critters, and thinks the best part of being a journalist is learning new stuff all the time. She has a Masters from Emory University, serves on the board of the Georgia chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and belongs to the Association of Health Care Journalists.
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