PORT HUENEME : 2 Sailors Injured in Antenna Collapse

Two sailors working on a military communications antenna at the Port Hueneme Seabee base were critically injured when the structure collapsed Thursday and they fell about five stories to the ground, authorities said.

The two enlisted men, both petty officers, were doing maintenance work on the antenna when it collapsed about 9 a.m. at the Naval Construction Battalion Center, spokeswoman Doris Lance said.

Navy officials said they did not know what caused the collapse of the antenna, a free-standing, 80- to 100-foot tower.

Timothy MacTavish, 27, a steelworker 3rd class, was undergoing extensive surgery after suffering compound fractures in both legs and a spinal cord injury, a spokeswoman at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard said Thursday night. He was listed in critical condition.

Also in critical condition at the same hospital was Richard Terry, 22, an electronic technician, 3rd class, Lance said. Gold Coast Ambulance paramedic Jeff Muzzin said Terry suffered severe facial and head injuries, and a hospital spokeswomen said he remained in intensive care Thursday night.

According to witnesses, MacTavish was about 60 feet up the antenna and Terry about 50 feet when it began to fall, Muzzin said.

He said both attempted to push off and that MacTavish landed on his feet, causing his fractures.

“If (the tower) had fallen on those guys, they wouldn’t be here,” Muzzin said.

The antenna, Lance said, is part of the Military Affiliated Radio System that is used to provide emergency radio links during emergencies.

She said it also is used for “MARSGRAMS,” communications between sailors and other naval personnel and their families.