Tragic Death on Adirondack Northway Focuses Attention on Environmentalist Obstruction to Cell Phone Coverage
A 63-year old Brooklyn resident died of exposure when he and
his wife were trapped in their car when it went off the Adirondack
Northway (I 87) near North Hudson at about 2 a.m. on Thursday,
January 25. Alfred B. Langner died after about twelve hours, while
his wife Barbara P. Langner survived until the discovery of their
car by state police on Friday at 9:53 a.m. According to the Glens
Falls Post-Star on January 27, her survival was considered
a “miracle” by State Police Captain John Tibbitts, considering
the sub-zero temperatures. The couple tried to use their cell
phone to call from their car, but there was no service. Environmentalists
consider that the visibility of cell towners is unacceptable in
the “sensitive” region. State Assemblyman Teresa Sayward
(R-Willsboro) said, “This should not have happened. No one
should have to lose their life to bring attention to a situation
that we have talked about for years.” State Senator Betty
Little (R-Queensbury), reiterated her call for cell phones, “An
interstate highway from Montreal to New York….should have
cell coverage,” she said. Environmentalists would agree only
to 8 ft. high towers, the Post-Star reported. Sen. Little
called for temporary towers. In March, Gov. Spitzer said that
he doesn’t want temporary cell phone towers installed along
the Northway, but he is seeking a “middle ground” to
protect public safety and the “unique environment,”
according to the Adirondack Journal in Warrensburg.
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