'MythBusters' regular Erik Gates dead in accidental fall

[RamboLiberal]

Erik Gates, who contributed to the popular Discovery Channel show "MythBusters" as its "Amateur Rocket Expert," has died. He was 47.

According to media reports, Gates died in a freak accident. He was at a building in Newbury Park, California, doing electrical work on a roof, when he fell 30 feet from a skylight. He died December 20.

Gates was an owner of Gateco Electric, which was employed at the site.

On its Twitter page, "MythBusters" tweeted, "Team MB wishes to express our deepest sympathies on the passing of our beloved rocket expert, Erik," followed by "You were an honorary MythBuster and will be sorely missed."

Gates and his brother also ran Gates Brothers Rocketry.

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/30/mythbusters-regular-erik-gates-dead/

[Ken Burch]

1. Shit! sorry to hear that.

(deleted the rest. Decided not to go there).

[Arctic Dave]

2. Bummer. I love MB, it is one of the few things on TV worth watching.

[MichaelHarris]

3. He

was an incredible rocketry guy, did a lot for the hobby.

[Odin2005]

4. OMG! That sucks!

:(

[Motown_Johnny]

5. The owner of the company was doing work 30 feet in the air at the age of 47?

Well, I must commend him for his work ethic.


It is to bad he didn't have a safety harness.


My sincerest condolences to his friends and family. (if any read DU that is)

[Brickbat]

9. Yeah, what a nightmare.

It looks like this was completely preventable with a simple tie-off.

[TexasObserver]

14. He was on a roof.

He wasn't suspended 30 feet up. He was on a roof.

I don't know the details, but it sounds as if he stepped onto something he thought was sound, but it gave way under his weight. Or, he might have fallen into a skylight. I'm sure the story will become more clear as it is reported, but it sounds as if he was doing some kind of work on a roof, and either fell through a skylight or had some portion of the roof give way.

Tragic, either way.

[katkat]

15. motown, 47 is the prime of life n/t

[liberal_at_heart]

6. I'm so sorry to hear that. Very sad news.

[Pithlet]

7. Oh, no! I'm sorry to hear that.

Mythbusters is one of my favorite shows.

[blondeatlast]

8. That is truly sad. Very smart guy who clearly loved his work. nt

[DainBramaged]

10. Crap, he rocked, my condolences

MB lined up on my Netflix for next month, I love that show...

[sei]

11. freak accidents are horrible...

That's so unfortunate. I feel bad because I'm a big fan of Mythbusters and December 20 is actually my birthday. :( RIP Mr. Gates!

[Daphne08]

12. So sorry to hear this.

My husband and I are big fans of MythBusters.

Very sad.

[comtec]

13. How very sad =[

my best to all the families at mythbusters. loosing one of their own like that =<[br />
this is really sad news.