This Day in History: 1978-04-27

Willow Island Disaster Fifty one construction workers die on this day in 1978 as a cooling tower for the Pleasants coal-fired power plant in West Virginia. An investigation reveals that the scaffolding surrounding the “Tower of Death” (as Time Magazine called it) was anchored to cement that had just been poured. Despite the gross negligence on the part of Allegheny Energy, fines amounting to only about $1,700 per worker were imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. No criminal charges were ever filed.