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Tarpon Springs Man Dies While Working on Billboard

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Pinellas sheriff’s deputies are investigating the incident, which, they said, appears accidental.

PALM HARBOR – A Tarpon Springs man died today (Aug. 9) when he was pinned between a billboard and a hydraulic bucket while working on the sign, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Robert Tanner, 58, of Tarpon Springs, died at the scene. There were no other injuries.

Deputies were called to Glory Days Grill, 34200 U.S. 19 N in Palm Harbor, about 11:04 a.m. for an unresponsive man who was working on a billboard sign in front of the business. Mr. Tanner and his co-worker, Charles Walker, 50, of New Port Richey, were working on the electric billboard in front of the business. Both were employed by Accent Neon and Sign Co.

Mr. Tanner was using a hydraulic bucket truck to work on the sign while Walker stayed on the ground. Tanner was inside the bucket on the hydraulic boom about 20 feet above the ground when Tanner leaned over the boom control panel switches, trying to reach an electrical access panel on the sign.

When Mr. Tanner leaned on the boom control panel switch, deputies said, his body inadvertently activated the switch causing the boom to rise upward. The upward motion of the boom pinned Mr. Tanner torso between the bucket and the metal overhang of the sign. Tanner was unable to release the switch because of the hydraulic pressure.

Walker saw Mr. Tanner was in distress and tried to reverse the boom by using a control panel on the side of the truck. Walker was unable to reverse the hydraulic pressure or override the control panel.

Paramedics from Palm Harbor Fire Rescue responded to the scene and spent more than 20 minutes working to free Mr. Tanner from the bucket. Mr. Tanner was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies said the death appears accidental in nature. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified of the death investigation.

For information about the Pinellas sheriff, go to pcsoweb.com.

Pinellas Sheriff | Robert Tanner | Worker Dies | Glory Days | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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