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Thursday, Sep. 24, 2009

UPDATE: Wrightsville man killed in church construction accident that injured 4 others

One construction worker was killed and four others were hurt Wednesday in an accident at the Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Hancock County.

Timothy Tyrone Dixon, 32, of Wrightsville died as a result of injuries he suffered when roof rafters fell as crews were setting them in place, said Ricky Brown, an investigator with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office.

Two other members of the Hines Construction crew were airlifted to Augusta with serious injuries - James Anthony Hines, 39, of Wrightsville and Edward Lawrence of Hancock County whose age was not immediately available, Brown said.

Bobby Chapman, 55, of Crawfordville was taken to Oconee Regional Medical Center in Milledgeville and Christopher Howell, 32, sustained minor injuries, Brown said.

Hickory Grove's sanctuary was destroyed by a tornado in February and crews were erecting a new building when the accident happened.

"This church has had one tragedy with the tornado that destroyed it and here when they're trying to get it back up hey have another tragedy," Brown said.

Church member Johnny Frank Baker was killed in the tornado that tore the building to shreds.