Officials investigating collapse
Associated Press
| |||
 |
|
||
Government investigators began sorting through the Dallas Cowboys' flattened practice facility in Irving, Texas yesterday, trying to figure out why fierce winds sent the tentlike structure crashing down during a rookie workout session.
Twelve people were hurt, including Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, who underwent surgery yesterday to stabilize a fractured vertebrae in his neck. The most seriously injured was Rich Behm, the team's 33-year-old scouting assistant who was permanently paralyzed from the waist down after his spine was severed. Assistant athletic trainer Greg Gaither, 35, had surgery on his fractured right leg. Both DeCamillis and Gaither are expected to be released from the hospital this week.
Inspectors were at the collapse site yesterday, said Elizabeth Todd, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA, which investigates workplace accidents, has six months to make a report, she said.
Records obtained by The Associated Press show the city of Irving granted the Cowboys' request to replace the fabric roof last year, five years after the structure was built. The team listed itself as the contractor for the roof replacement, but Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said the team would not comment about the work.
The records do not show the Cowboys sought an inspection of the facility after replacing the roof, although city code requires it, according to Gary Miller, Irving's director of planning and inspections.
The company that built the facility — Summit Structures LLC of Allentown, Pa. — issued a statement that said proper engineering was used during the original construction and the installation of the new roof.
Summit president Nathan Stobbe said he was in Irving yesterday, working with team and local officials to "fully assess this severe weather event."
About 70 people, including 27 players at a rookie minicamp, were inside when the storm hit. Winds were clocked at 64 mph, 1 mph shy of the threshold for a weak tornado.
ELSEWHERE
LAW AND ORDER:
A Tennessee man is suing Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for causing a car accident that left him needing a hip replacement, asking for $7.5 million in compensatory damages alone. Attorney Jon Perry filed the lawsuit for Corey Edmonson on Friday in Williamson County Circuit Court. Haynesworth was indicted in March by a grand jury on charges of reckless driving and having an expired registration for an incident Dec. 13.
PATRIOTS:
New England has signed eight players, including three from Navy who likely won't be available immediately. New England added running back Eric Kettani, and wide receivers Shun White and Tyree Barnes from Navy. All have military commitments ahead of them.
SAINTS:
Former UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowan and Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill were among 10 undrafted rookies officially added to New Orleans' roster. The new players will join the Saints' four draft picks at the team's rookie camp.
STEELERS:
Pittsburgh released starting inside linebacker Larry Foote, a move expected since Foote asked to be traded or cut. Foote has started every Steelers game for five seasons, including their Super Bowl victory last season. But he was unhappy with coming off the field on passing downs.
REDSKINS:
Receiver Roydell Williams has signed with Washington. Williams played three seasons for Tennessee, catching 84 passes for 1,139 yards. He had 55 catches for 719 yards in 2007, but ankle injuries led the Titans to cut him last year.
