Overloaded and Lied To: The Tower Collapse That Killed 3

In 2014, three lives were lost in Despard, West Virginia due to a preventable tower collapse. This is their story .

Tower climbers Kyle Kirkpatrick and Terry Lee Richards Jr. were killed when a 340-foot tower collapsed due to many factors including, hidden overloading, and the removal of key bracing. Moments later, a second tower fell, killing volunteer firefighter Michael Dale Garrett, who had just arrived on scene.

This disaster is not an isolated event in the wireless industry — but what caused it was buried in silence. This documentary talks about the preventable errors, the ignored red flags, and firsthand accounts of those on scene.

Featuring Firsthand Accounts From

Kenny White – On-site foreman

Richard Bell – Expert witness in the case

Randall Shankles – Tower company owner

Doug Delaney – Tower veteran & author of Tower Dog

These stories reveal a truth common in this industry: equipment was added to the tower before scheduled reinforcements were made — a fact concealed from the climbers who were sent to work on it. This dangerous overloading may have been the final, fatal factor.

🎥 Watch More from Tommy Schuch Media
📺 The Life of a Tower Climber – Part I
   • The Life Of A Tower Climber: Death and cha...  

📺 The Life of a Tower Climber – Part II: Failures at Every Level
   • The Life Of A Tower Climber II: Failures A...  

📺 Doug Delaney: The Industry Failed These Men
   • The Truth About Tower Climbing | Inside A ...  

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📅 Date: February 1, 2014
📍 Location: Despard (Clarksburg), West Virginia
👷 Victims:

Kyle Kirkpatrick (32)

Terry Lee Richards Jr. (27)

Michael Dale Garrett (28), firefighter

🎥 About Tommy Schuch Media
At Tommy Schuch Media, we expose the hidden risks, silent failures, and untold truths in the tower industry — through raw stories from the climbers who keep America connected.

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