Toby A. Cole Obituary, Death – The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office has released the identity of the man who died in a tragic workplace accident on Two Towers Road last week. Authorities confirmed that the victim was 62-year-old Toby A. Cole of Harlingen, Texas, who lost his life after falling from a television tower on Friday, September 12.
According to officials, deputies were dispatched to the scene at 19008 Two Towers Road at approximately 2:09 p.m. after receiving reports of a serious fall. When emergency responders arrived, they learned that Cole had been working on a TV tower when he plummeted nearly 200 feet to the ground.
Despite immediate life-saving measures administered by first responders, Cole’s injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead at the site of the accident. The sheriff’s office noted that emergency crews made every possible attempt to stabilize him, but the height and force of the fall made survival impossible.
Details about what caused the fall remain under investigation. Officials have not yet disclosed whether safety equipment was in use or if environmental conditions may have played a role. Falls from communication towers are considered among the most dangerous occupational hazards, and federal agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) typically review incidents of this nature to determine compliance with workplace safety standards.
Cole, a resident of Harlingen, Texas, had been working in the area at the time of the accident. While additional personal information about him has not been released publicly, his sudden death has brought grief to his family, friends, and colleagues. Tower workers often face considerable risks in their line of duty, as jobs frequently involve climbing hundreds of feet to perform maintenance, repairs, or installations on broadcast and cellular towers.
The sheriff’s office has not yet stated whether Cole was employed directly by a local company or contracted through a larger communications firm. However, given the scale of the accident, further review is expected to determine whether all safety protocols were followed during the operation.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by individuals in specialized technical fields, particularly those who perform high-altitude tasks that require significant training and equipment. Safety experts continually stress the importance of rigorous adherence to fall protection standards, including harnesses, safety lines, and redundant safety checks, to reduce the likelihood of tragedies like this one.
Local authorities said the investigation into the incident is ongoing. It is not yet clear how long Cole had been working on the tower prior to the fall or whether mechanical issues with equipment may have contributed.
For now, Pulaski County officials have expressed condolences to Cole’s family and assured the public that every effort will be made to uncover the circumstances leading to his death. His passing highlights both the personal cost to loved ones and the occupational risks inherent in industries that keep vital communication infrastructure functioning.
