Contractor working on billboard dies in fall

Adairsville resident was working for Alabama company.

A man fell more than 50 feet to his death while working on a billboard in Newnan, police said.

Rocky Lane Haygood, 52, of Adairsville, was installing new lights on the billboard at the time of the incident, which occurred Friday in the parking lot of a Chevron near the I-85 North entrance ramp, according to a police report.

Haygood was performing the work as a contractor with Outdoor Link, a Huntsville, Ala., advertising company, police said.

“At this time, we still are investigating,” company general manager Franklin Olive said.

He declined further comment.

James Poteet, who was working with Haygood at the time, told police it looked like Haygood’s heel was stuck on the catwalk.

Poteet was on the ground carrying work items around the truck when he heard the “woosh” sound of Haygood falling, according to the report. Poteet called 911 about 11:20 a.m.

When officers got to the scene, Haygood was on the ground beside his work truck, police said. He had injuries to his face, head, left elbow, right hand, legs and feet.

His harness was still on, but his belt had been ripped in half near the buckle, according to the report.

Fire and emergency officials checked for a pulse and performed lifesaving techniques, but were unsuccessful.

Newnan police have turned the investigation over to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.