According to Franklin-based State Police, around 3:56 a.m. on Thursday, August 8, officers responded to the area of 523 Cooperstown Road in Jackson Township, Venango County, which was a neighboring property of 419 Cooperstown Road, for an apparent death investigation.

The victim identified as 55-year-old William Eugene Wall, of Centerville, walked from the neighboring property where family and friends were having a campfire to a nearby AT&T Tower on the adjacent property approximately 250 yards away.

The victim then climbed an approximate seven-foot property fence that surrounded the AT&T Tower in a low-lighted area. The victim then climbed the 280-foot tall cellular tower for unknown means. The weather conditions consisted of a heavy fog that made the cellular tower slippery, and the victim is believed to have slipped while climbing to the top of the cellular tower, falling to the ground where he succumbed from his injuries. Life-saving measures were attempted by family members but were unsuccessful.

PSP is currently investigating this incident as an accidental death due to the victim’s fall.

The investigation is on-going with the assistance of the Venango County Coroner.

Several calls to Venango County Coroner Christina Rugh have not been returned.