Check Traffic

Check Traffic
Live Cameras, Conditions

°

Homepage / Houston News
Text Size

Makeshift Memorial For Crane Victims Set Up

By Carl Willis and Courtney Zavala

POSTED: Sunday, July 20, 2008

A makeshift memorial was set up Saturday for four contract workers who lost their lives when a crane collapsed at a Houston refinery, KPRC Local 2 reported.


SLIDESHOW: See Images From Sky 2
Neighbors Remember Crane Collapse Victim As 'Great Guy':
Courtney Zavala Reports

Cathy Touchton said she couldn't help but think of what could have happened.

"It's very upsetting," Touchton said. "My husband may not have been here today."

Touchton's husband works on the crane and very well could have been in the crush zone when the 400-foot machine came crashing down Friday afternoon.

"He was supposed to be on that (crane) but he got switched to nights," Touchton said. "He was supposed to start nights Friday."

Marion "Scooter" Hubert Odom III, 41, of Highlands; John D. Henry, 33, of Dayton; Daniel "DJ" Lee Johnson, 30, of Dayton and Rocky Dale Strength, 30, of Santa Fe, Texas, died when a crane fell at the LyondellBasell refinery in the Houston Ship Channel at about 1:30 p.m. Friday. All were contract workers with Deep South Crane and Rigging.

The accident touched many in the community, including Arnold Martinez. He is a contract worker at the refinery who said he was in a crane accident years ago at another refinery.

"It sends a chill down my back and a gut-wrenching feeling that I don't like, that I don't ever want to feel again," Martinez said.

The LyondellBasell company reached out to grieving workers Saturday and honored those who were killed.

"We're doing grief counseling and really working at moving forward, but we want to reflect on what happened," spokesman David Roznowski said.

A formal investigation is under way. Company officials said Occupational Safety and Health Administration is leading the investigation.

Neighbors Remember Victim As 'Great Guy'

A southeast Houston community was in shock and mourning Strength, who they called a "great guy."

"He would do anything for you. He was a hard worker. To hear what happened is a tragedy to all of us around here," former neighbor Mervin Overton said.

It's unclear where Strength was when the massive crane collapsed.

Strength recently moved but still kept in contact with his neighbors. He made quite an impression on the small, tight-knit community.

"It hurts. I'm going to miss him," said Overton as he fought back tears.

The neighbors found out about Strength's death while sitting in Overton's garage Friday. The garage is the neighborhood sports hangout complete with a picnic table, fans and a television. The floor is painted with markings like a football field.

Overton said he had a lot of good times with Strength.

Residents described Strength as the life of party and someone who was never in a bad mood. They feel like they lost a family member.

"This whole street is more like family, and with him, it's a loss to the whole family," said Overton.

Text Size
Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Find out which triggers are under your control. The answers could prevent migraines, and keep you off the sidelines. More

A great bedroom is designed to be a sanctuary where you can relax and get a good night’s sleep. Find out how to create the perfect bedroom. More

Don’t ruin your chances of landing that new job by making easy to correct mistakes on your cover letter. More

Make your dreams of a college education come true and take advantage of over 4 million tuition-free scholarships available to real people just like you! More

Most Popular

  • StoriesClick to Expand

    • Pastor Accused Of Sex Assault

      Darrell Dean DunnA pastor from Crosby is accused of sexually abusing two boys who attended his church's school, KPRC Local 2 reports.

    • Captain: Help Solve Daughter's Killing

      Selestino TorresA Houston Fire Department captain asked for the public's help finding the man suspected of killing his daughter, KPRC Local 2 reports.

    • 1,400 Arrested In South Texas

      U.S. marshals and police arrest more than 1,400 fugitives and cleared 1,654 warrants during a monthlong cooperative between federal, state, and local law enforcement in South Texas.

    • Pelosi Shuts Down Jackson Resolution

      House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shuts the door to a resolution honoring Michael Jackson because debate on the symbolic measure could raise "contrary views" about the pop star's life.

    • Texas License Plate Gets New Look

      Texas license plates have a new look and another character, KPRC Local 2 reports.

  • VideosClick to Expand

    • Man Lies About Military Heroics

      July 9, 2009: A Houston man's military heroics were fabricated. Alana Gomez Dong reports.

    • Local 2 Investigates: Inside Bar Raid

      July 8, 2009: A bar that's had its liquor license pulled and where police have looked for sex trafficking victims is raided, KPRC Local 2 Investigates reports.

    • Pastor Accused Of Fondling Students

      Darrell Dean DunnJuly 9, 2009: A pastor from Crosby has been accused of sexually abusing two boys who attended his church's school. Phil Archer reports.

    • Houston Nets 1,000+ Fugitives

      July 9, 2009: Operation Falcon rounds up more than 3,500 fugitives across the nation. Joel Eisenbaum reports.

    • Man Makes Patriotism His Mission

      July 4, 2009: While the focus of the Fourth of July is usually on barbecue and fireworks, one local veteran wants to make sure we pay tribute to the true patriots who have served our country. Alana Gomez Dong reports.

  • SlideshowsClick to Expand