Contract employee killed on Air Force land identified

By Mary Manning

Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009 | 5:26 p.m.

The second of two contract employees who were killed in a fuel truck rollover Tuesday on the Nevada Test and Training Range has been identified.

Sean Ryan, 34, of Las Vegas was identified as the second victim in the one-vehicle rollover, said Charles Ramey, a spokesman for Nellis Air Force Base. He is a native of Douglastown, N.Y.

The Air Force identified 55-year-old Curtis Fowler of Tonopah on Wednesday.

A fuel truck the men were operating rolled over about 12:50 p.m. Tuesday near the Tonopah Air Field, about 125 miles northwest of Nellis Air Force Base and 35 miles southeast of Tonopah, Air Force officials said.

Both employees worked for Trend Western Technical Corporation, a subsidiary of Del-Jen Inc. Trend Western is based in Fullerton, Calif., but has an office in Indian Springs. Trend Western is a subcontractor for CSC, which provides range support services under a contract with the 98th Range Wing at Nellis Air Force Base.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time," said Col. John Montgomery, 98th Range Wing commander.

The cause of the rollover is unknown and is under investigation. Ramey said the Nye County Sheriff's Office assisted by the Air Force will investigate the accident.