4 Slightly Injured in Rocket Accident at Cape Canaveral

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Four workers were slightly injured and a space rocket segment was severely damaged in a launch pad accident today at Cape Canaveral.

A NASA statement said a work platform ruptured the hydrogen fuel tank of the Centaur upper stage of an Atlas-Centaur rocket. Workers were moving the platform in preparation for removing the Centaur stage from the pad to fix a fuel leak.

“There were minor injuries to four General Dynamics Space Division technicians as they made a quick departure of the area,” the statement said. NASA said all four were treated at the scene for cuts and bruises and were released.

The statement said the hydrogen tank was damaged extensively when pressure inside was released after it was struck by the platform. Officials had no information on whether the stage can be repaired.