A 2,000-foot television tower that was the second-tallest structure in the world when it was built has collapsed as workers were restringing guy wires Friday. The collapse of Equity Broadcasting’s KATV-TV Little Rock (ABC) tower about 20 miles south of Little Rock knocked it and KETS-TV (PBS) off the air.
Equity is redistributing the KATV signal to cable and satellite systems across Arkansas.
KATV news director Randy Dixon said one person on the ground suffered a minor injury Friday when the tower collapsed.
An engineer said damage and injuries were limited because of the tower’s design. Wayne Morgan, an engineer for Vinco Inc. who was at the scene, told The AP it looks like the tower did exactly what it was designed to do–crumple up and fall pretty much straight down.
Competitors of KATV immediately offered help, said the story. Rob Heverling, news director at NBC affiliate KARK-TV said the station immediately contacted KATV and sent engineers to the scene. Larry Audas, GM at KTHV-TV (CBS), did the same.
