2 Die in Collapse of Retaining Wall in East Texas

August 9, 2012

Authorities say a retaining wall collapse in East Texas has left two construction workers dead and another hurt.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says the industrial accident happened Monday near Lake Jacksonville.

Sheriff James Campbell says the workers were trying to install reinforcing steel when a 30-foot section of the concrete and rock wall fell. Campbell says the wall is about 12 to 15 feet tall and a foot thick.

Investigators say 60-year-old Donald Starling and 68-year-old Hollis Morris, both of Tyler, were dead at the scene. Officials say the older man’s son, 45-year-old Rodney Morris of Tyler, suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

Jacksonville is 115 miles southeast of Dallas.