College student in Iowa dies after climbing turbine.

ESTHERVILLE, Iowa (AP) -- A student at a northern Iowa community college has died after losing consciousness during a climb up a wind turbine.

Robert May, 59, was enrolled in the wind energy and turbine technology program at Iowa Lakes Community College. On his second day as a student, May lost consciousness while ascending the turbine. Staff and students quickly administered CPR, but May died at a local hospital.

May had been laid off from a Maytag plant and was seeking new skills, college officials said.

College president Valerie Newhouse expressed sadness at the death and thanked students, staff and emergency workers for a quick response.