COLLAPSE OF TOWER

Press, Volume C, Issue 29469, 22 March 1961, Page 5

COLLAPSE OF TOWER

Charge Against Officers (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 21. The United States Air Force has charged three officers with dereliction of duty as a result of the collapse two months ago of the raddttower built in the sea off the New Jersey coast. Twentyeight men died in the disaster. The acting commander of the Boston Air Defence Sector. Colonel William Banks, wap charged with culpable negligence and with “derelictions in the performance of his duties during the time in question.” The commander of the 4604th Support Squadron at Otis Air Force. Base. Massachusetts. Major William Sheppard, and the acting commander of 46041 h Squadron “during the critical period prior to the loss of the tower.” Major Reginald Stark, were both charged with dereliction of duty. The three-legged structure and platform, known as a “Texas tower,” and weighing close to 6000 tons, rose 185' feet from the bed of the! Atlantic about 85 miles I south of New York City and almost due east of New Jersey's State capital. Trenton. It disappeared from watching radar screens during a storm on the night of January 15. After the collapse of the tower, only two bodies of the 28 people on it were recovered.

The Air Force,said an investigating officer would decide which, if any. of the charges would be referred for trial by a court martial.