Fall From Oil Rig Claims Life Of Worker

GOLIAD, Texas (AP) — An oil field worker in South Texas has died after falling while near the top of a 50-foot rig.

The Goliad County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday identified the accident victim as 40-year-old Scotty O'Neal Stanley of Livingston.

Deputies were summoned Monday night to a rural area after other workers heard a hardhat fall and looked up to see Stanley dangling from his safety harness. Authorities believe Stanley slipped and fell, striking his head and being left unconscious.

Another worker lowered the victim to the base of the rig. Stanley had died by the time emergency personnel arrived. Sgt. John Pape says the worker had a visible head injury.

No cause of death was released. Investigators didn't say how far Stanley fell.

Additional details weren't immediately released.