Hi again to everyone on "Tower Talk". First, thank you to all those who =
responded to my request for information on the hygain hytower. I found =
something in an old QST that should bring a chuckle to especially =
readers of Tower Talk. Hope you enjoy it.
=20
Introduction: =20
Before reading this insurance claim letter, close your eyes for a moment =
and visualize yourself working on your 80 foot tower. Things could go =
wrong, especially when working alone. =20
=20
=20
=20
Re: Insurance Claim #BHDR66798
=20
I am writing in response to your request for additional =
information concerning this claim.
In Block No. 3 of the accident report form, I put 'poor =
planning' as the cause of the accident. You said in your letter that I =
should explain more fully, and I trust that the following details will =
be sufficient.
I am an amateur radio operator. On the day of the accident, =
I was working alone on the top section of my new 80-foot antenna tower. =
When I had completed the work, I discovered that I had, over the course =
of several trips up the tower, brought up about 300 lbs of tools and =
spare hardware. Rather than carry the now unneeded tools and materials =
down by hand, I decided to lower the items in a small barrel by using a =
pulley that, fortunately, was attached to the top of the tower.
Securing the rope at ground level, I went to the top of the =
tower and loaded the tools and materials into the barrel. Then I came =
back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a =
slow descent of the 300 lbs. of tools. You will note in Block 11 of =
the accident form that I weigh 155 lbs. Surprised at being suddenly =
yanked off the ground, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go =
of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate up the =
side of the tower. In the vicinity of the 40-foot level, I met the =
barrel coming down. This explains my fractured skull and broken =
collarbone. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not =
stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into =
the pulley.
Fortunately, by this time I had regained my presence of mind =
and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain. At =
approximately the same time, however, the barrel hit the ground and the =
bottom fell out of it. Without the tools, the barrel now weighed 20 =
lbs.
I refer you again to my weight in Block No. 11. As you =
might imagine, I began an abrupt descent down the side of the tower. =
Around the 40-foot level, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for =
the two fractured ankles and the lacerations of my legs and lower body. =
The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries =
when I fell onto the pile of tools, and fortunately only three vertebrae =
were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the =
tools, in pain, unable to stand, and watching the empty barrel 80 feet =
above me, I again lost my presence of mind. I let go of the rope.
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