Press Release: Construction worker dies in collapse

Contact Information:
Michael Wilhoite
1801 SW Jewell Ave
Topeka, Kan. 66618
w: 785-670-0000
c: 785-555-5555
michaelw16@gmail.com

For Immediate Release:

 TOPEKA, KS- After the Whiting collapse at Washburn University a construction worker for Moto Construction was pronounced dead at 10 p.m. central standard time. 

The construction worker, James Tunnel, was found in the rubble not long after the collapse.  He was last seen on top of Whiting when Curtis Conley the crane operator lost control of the crane and it slammed into Whiting causing the collapse and injuries. 

Tunnel was found soon after the collapse and was transported to Stormont Vail immediately after and receive intensive care but was unable to hold on due to loss of blood.

"This is a tragedy and our family is taking this very hard, but we are sorry for everybody that was involved including their families," said Madison Tunnel wife of James Tunnel.  "It's hard to accept what has happened as reality but I am trying to be strong for my children."

Tunnel is survived by his three sons, James Tunnel Jr. 14, Greg Tunnel 12, and Matt Tunnel 6 and his wife Madison of Topeka, Kan. 

"Our company is devastated in the losses of Curtis Conley and James Tunnel and our hearts go out to their families," said the owner of Moto Construction Robert Lundy.  "Both of those men were great employees and great men who took care of their families."

Moto Construction is holding a candle light memorial for the two men that passed on Saturday at noon outside the main plant in Topeka, Kan. The Washburn family and Moto Construction are going to continue to work together to try and help the families of the people involved in the collapse. 

Number of patrons in Whiting released

After the collapse of the east wall of Whiting field house all but two people have been found. 

Whiting has a capacity of 2,500 but at the time of the collapse there were only 88 students, faculty, staff and visitors present at 4:45 central standard time.  On Thursday's from 4:00 to 5:15 there is a lifetime wellness class that is located upstairs and a weight lifting class downstairs in the weight room.  Each of these classes were effected by the collapse. 

In the lifetime wellness class there were 23 students and one professor present at the time.  20 students escaped from the gym safely while three bodies were found dead.  The professor was also injured in the collapse.  Each of these students families have been notifed and our deepest apologies go out to these families and we are continueing to search for anybody else that is missing.

In the class downstairs that was taking place in the weight room had 18 people present and 1 professor during the collapse.  Some of the students participating in the weight room were injured while nobody was killed.  Each of these students are being cared for at Stormont Vail.  These families have been notified. 

While both the gym and weight room were damage there were also seven offices damaged on the northeast side of the builidng but nobody was in these offices.

Crane Operator

MicAt the time of the accident and heart attack of the crane operator, Curtis Conley lost control of his crane that caused the damage to whiting.
Curtis Conley was very capable of controlling a crane and has worked with cranes for more than 20 years of his life.  Conley 52 years of age completed his certification from Associated Training Services (ATS) school in 1986.  Since that time Conley has worked with cranes and has never had a problem. 

At ATS Conely went through a 3 step process to learn how to control a crane efficiently.  The first step included training on the basic principles of cranes, crane safety, and operating a crane.  The second step included communication which address abstractions, fear and lack of experience among other types of communication.  The second step also included preventive maintenance, wire rope, and computer aids/operator aids.  The last step that Conley experienced at ATS included information on load charts, advanced operational techniques, lift planning and EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.  The emergency procedure covered accident prevention and investigation, the hazards of power line contact, and various failures that may occur during lifting operations. 

These are some of the things that Conley was aware of but due to a second heart attack he lost control of the crane.

East end of Whiting collapses

This blog was created for a class project. There was no collapse in Whiting and all students, faculty and staff are okay. THIS IS NOT A REAL CRISIS.

Early this evening on the campus of Washburn University, a crane operator finishing work on Whiting Gymnasium, suffered a heart attack and lost control of the crane he was operating. The ball smashed into the east end of the building and caused a collapse. A search and rescue crew is currently working to clear the rubble and search for missing persons.

At this time three bodies have been found and have not yet been identified. The operator of the crane also died of the heart attack.

Persons located in the Whiting Gymnasium complex, please go to Petro Allied Health Center for safety. There is a Red Cross station located in Lee Arena for those seeking medical attention. People who are missing family members and friends can also find help at the Red Cross station.

For further information please call (785)673-1482.