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Three of the most devastating Lehigh Valley accidents that occurred at the beginning of July: Bethlehem Train Accident, Allentown Building Fire and Fatal Mower Accident

Bethlehem Train Derailment Accidents – Norfolk Southern, Pennsylvania Train Derails Under Hill-to-Hill Bridge in Bethlehem

 

Several Norfolk Southern train cars derailed Friday, July 5, afternoon near the Hill-to-Hill Bridge in South Bethlehem, marking the second derailment in the area this year.

According to the Bethlehem Fire Department, four or five cars of a 125-car train left their tracks on a bridge crossing the Lehigh River around 2:41 p.m. Fortunately, all the derailed cars were empty. However, two other cars on the train carried hazardous materials. No injuries were reported, and the Lehigh River remained unaffected.

This derailment follows a March incident in Lower Saucon Township where a three-train crash sent two locomotives and six train cars into the river, with three vehicles previously hauling hazardous materials. The crashes coincide with increased scrutiny of Norfolk Southern’s safety record, especially after a recent report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) highlighting a faulty wheel bearing causing a toxic derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Local residents, a man and a woman, who witnessed both derailments, remarked on the frequency of such incidents but acknowledged the rail industry’s generally good safety record.

 

If you or your loved one have been injured due to a Lehigh Valley train accident due to a collision on the railway crossing or train derailment, contact our train accident lawyers at the Trapani Law Firm to learn your legal options and chances for compensation.

 

Allentown Building Fire Accident – Devastating Fire Displaces 20 Residents in Allentown

 

A three-alarm fire broke out Monday, July 8, evening at 1138 and 1140 Hamilton St., displacing around 20 residents. The fire began at approximately 5:30 p.m. and was extinguished after four hours but significantly damaged several buildings.

One resident, who lost all his belongings, expressed his distress: “I lost everything. Everything.”

Six firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at a hospital. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with smoke detectors reportedly functioning in some of the buildings.

An aggressive firefighting effort helped ensure that all occupants escaped uninjured. However, the extensive damage to the structures has led to plans for partial demolition. Displaced residents are receiving assistance from the Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Local fire departments from Woodlawn, Greenawalds, Upper Macungie, Catasauqua, Cetronia, and Whitehall also assisted in managing the blaze.

 

We deeply apologize to the residents who lost their belongings and were displaced after the devastating Allentown fire. However, we strongly believe that they will recover their damages. If you have suffered any injuries, lost a loved one, or lost your belongings due to the Allentown fire, contact our experienced personal injury lawyers to learn about your rights. We can help you seek fair compensation from the parties responsible for safety in the building who breached their duties of care and failed to ensure safe conditions. 

 

Tragic Lehigh Valley Workplace Accident: Township Worker Dies in a Lawn Mower Fatal Accident

A 74-year-old township worker tragically lost his life in a lawn mower accident on Monday, July 8, morning at Albert Ponds Reserve. The man was mowing near the pond when the mower tipped over, pinning him beneath it in the water. The Northampton County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene at 10:44 a.m. The investigation into the cause and manner of death is ongoing, with further details yet to be released.

 

If you lost a loved one in a Lehigh Valley workplace accident or due to a faulty mower accident, contact our wrongful death lawyers. At the Trapani Law Firm, we are deeply committed to helping the deceased’s survivors who suffer from loss of companionship, lost wages, pain, and emotional distress. We offer free initial consultations to make our service more accessible for harmed people. 

 

Last Updated on July 11, 2024