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Shuttle Worker Falls to His Death

James Vanover was working on Endeavour

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 14, 2011 1:39 PM CDT

(Newser) – A worker preparing the space shuttle Endeavour for its April 19 launch fell to his death from a launch pad access arm today, according to NASA. Emergency crews at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral tried to revive James Vanover, a United Space Alliance worker, but were unsuccessful. Work at launch pad 39A was halted for the day. WKMG notes that a roofer also fell to his death at the Kennedy Space Center in 2006 after tripping over a wire.

US space shuttle Endeavour on March 11, 2011 on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
US space shuttle Endeavour on March 11, 2011 on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.   (Getty Images)
US space shuttle Endeavour on March 11, 2011 on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
US space shuttle Endeavour on March 11, 2011 on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.   (Getty Images)
US space shuttle Endeavour on March 11, 2011 on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
US space shuttle Endeavour on March 11, 2011 on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Count-Spatula
Mar 14, 2011 5:54 PM CDT
What a way to go; the last person killed on a defunct space program.
JackNelsonSteward
Mar 14, 2011 4:55 PM CDT
Godspeed, James, good rest. NASA ... you be sure to offer the Vanover family to take James' ashes into space for a fitting burial if they wish.
AstroDude
Mar 14, 2011 4:17 PM CDT
Never a harbinger of good luck

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