OXNARD : Sailor, 27, Who Fell From Tower Dies

A 27-year-old Port Hueneme sailor, who was critically injured last week when he and a colleague fell from a military communications radio tower, died early Tuesday at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, authorities said.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Timothy MacTavish died about 12:30 a.m. in the hospital’s intensive care unit, according to Rita Schumacher, a hospital spokeswoman.

MacTavish and fellow Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Terry, 22, fell from a 60-foot-high military communications tower located on the sprawling Naval Construction Battalion Center on Thursday morning.

As of late Tuesday, Terry, who suffered severe facial and head injuries from the fall, was upgraded from critical to serious condition, Schumacher said.

At the time of the accident, MacTavish and Terry were performing routine maintenance and repair work. MacTavish was in a safety harness about three-quarters up the tower and Terry was about 10 feet below him and still climbing into position when the structure collapsed.

Navy spokeswoman Linda Wadley said Navy safety officials have stepped up their investigation into the incident.

Wadley said that two separate Navy investigations have been launched into the incident. One investigation will be headed by the base’s safety office and the other by the Navy’s judge advocate general’s office. Wadley said the latter agency is brought in when multiple injuries or fatalities occur at a base work site.

MacTavish was decorated by the Navy for his service during the Persian Gulf War and was a seven-year Navy veteran. Terry is a four-year veteran of the service. Both men were assigned to the 31st Naval Construction Regiment.

Base commanders said Tuesday the base was saddened by MacTavish’ death and expressed hopes for Terry’s continued recovery.

“MacTavish was an outstanding young man who personified the best in every sailor,” said Navy Cmdr. William Rudich, the regiment’s chief of staff.