MEC&F Expert Engineers : 07/04/17

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Alcohol may have been involved in a deadly ATV crash in Becker County, MN that crushed to death 47-year-old Anthony Robert Ortiz Sr. and injured his son, Anthony Robert Ortiz Jr., 21.



Becker County, Minn. (WDAY/WDAZ-TV) - Alcohol may have been involved in a deadly ATV crash early Tuesday morning in Becker County.


The sheriff's office says it was called to Round Lake Township, which is east of Waubun around 12:30AM.

Three men, including a 47-year-old driver from Washington state, were on the ATV.

He lost control and rolled, causing the ATV to land on him.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His 21-year-old son was airlifted to Essentia in Fargo for injuries.

His condition is unknown.

The other man involved did not need medical attention.

The sheriff's department says alcohol may have played a factor.

Names of everyone involved are being withheld pending family notification.


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ROUND LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A father is dead and his son was taken to a Fargo, N.D., hospital to be treated for injuries after an ATV accident near here Tuesday, July 4.


According to a release from Becker County Sheriff's Office, emergency crews were called just after midnight to South Elbow Lake Road in Round Lake Township for the report of an ATV accident involving three men, one of whom was unconscious at the scene.

When emergency personnel arrived, they found 47-year-old Anthony Robert Ortiz Sr. of Soap Lake, Wash., dead at the scene. His son, 21-year-old Anthony Robert Ortiz Jr., also of Soap Lake, was airlifted to Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo. A third man, who was not identified by the Sheriff's Office, denied any medical treatment at the scene.

The extent of Ortiz Jr.'s injuries was unknown by Tuesday afternoon, the release said.

Sheriff's deputies believe Ortiz Sr. was driving a side-by-side ATV when he lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over on top of him. Alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, the release said. The accident is still under investigation.


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An ATV crash early Tuesday morning in Becker County has left one man dead and another injured, according to the Becker County Sheriff's Office.

Anthony Robert Ortiz Sr., 47, of Soap Lake, Wash., died at the scene after the side-by-side ATV he was driving rolled over on South Elbow Lake Road in Round Lake Township.

He was one of three men in the ATV. One of them was his son, Anthony Robert Ortiz Jr., 21, of Soap Lake, Wash., who was injured and was airlifted to Essentia Hospital in Fargo. His condition was not known. The third man, whose name was not released, declined medical treatment.

Statements at the scene indicate that Ortiz Senior was driving and lost control of the ATV, which rolled over and landed on top of him. Alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, which is still under investigation, according to the Sheriff's Office.Emergency personnel from the Becker County Sheriff's Office, the White Earth Tribal Police Department, the White Earth Ambulance Service, Carsonville Fire and Rescue, and North Memorial Aircare responded to the crash, which was reported at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday

Michael O'Brien, 49, of Jersey City who was adjusting a bike on his Toyota FJ model SUV parked on the shoulder was hit and killed by a Buick SUV driven by female driver on I-80 west in Rockaway Township, NJ







A fatal fiery two-car crash closed down Route 80 west in Rockaway Township early Tuesday afternoon and a former police officer and Emergency Medical Technician was credited with rescuing the driver and passenger of one of the cars before it burst into flames.

State Police at the Netcong station said that both cars involved in the crash caught fire and one person died. No other information was available.

The crash happened east of Exit 35 in Rockaway Township and briefly closed all lanes of the highway.

Duncan Smythe of Westfield said he was driving west on the highway about 100 yards away when he saw a car swerve off the highway and hit a vehicle on the shoulder. Rudy Palma of Mountainside was a passenger in Smythe's car and saw the crash happen.



Fatal crash on Route 80

"There was a driver adjusting a bike (on the car) when a second car swerved off the highway and struck the car on the shoulder," killing the man who was adjusting the bicycle, he said.

Smyhe said the car that swerved off the road went into the air before it spun and hit the guardrail.

"One car was fully engulfed and the other had flames coming from under the hood," Smythe said. "The driver's door (of the car that ran off the road) wasn't locked, I opened and got the woman who was driving to safety. The passenger was conscious but dazed, he was a little wedged, but I managed to get him out."

Within seconds, both vehicles were engulfed in flame, he said.

"I was in the right place at right time," Smythe said. "I'm glad I was."

Smythe, 55, of Westfield, said he was a police officer in Bridgewater during the late 1970's and 1980's and was an EMT on the Westfield Rescue squad for 25 years. He is currently a realtor.

By 1:43 p.m., the state DOT reported that two of four westbound lanes were open and drivers should use an alternate route. As of 2 p.m., westbound delays snowballed to 45 to 50 minutes.

There have been 252 fatal crashes in the state which have resulted in 268 fatalities so far in 2017, said State Police statistics.



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One man was killed and one woman was critically injured in a fiery crash on Route 80 Tuesday in Rockaway Township when another vehicle hit the man while he was parked in the shoulder of the highway, according to a New Jersey State Police update.


Submitted photos of a fatal accident on westbound Route 80 in Rockaway Township, occurring at noon on July 4, 2017. (Photo: Submitted photos)


Submitted photos of a fatal accident on westbound Route 80 in Rockaway Township, occurring at noon on July 4, 2017. (Photo: Submitted photo)

Trooper Lawrence Peele previously confirmed a single fatality following a crash at noon on westbound Route 80 at mile marker 35.4, near the exit for Mount Hope Road and Rockaway Townsquare mall.



Peele later identified the deceased as Michael O'Brien, 49, of Jersey City. According to Peele, O'Brien had parked his Toyota FJ model SUV in the right shoulder and had exited the vehicle, possibly to tend to cargo, when a Buick SUV traveled into the right shoulder, hitting O'Brien and his Toyota.

Photos from the scene show both vehicles in flames, with witnesses reported that the smoke could be seen as far away as Dover.

The driver and a front-seat passenger in the Buick sustained minor injuries. A female passenger in the back seat sustained critical injuries, and was taken by ambulance to Morristown Medical Center, where she was still listed in critical condition.

The occupants of the Buick were not identified in the update.The accident, which closed two lanes of Route 80 for about four hours, is still under investigation

The suspension of a Duncan slaughterhouse was put on hold, after Foster’s Meat staff were retrained on using a rifle and electric device to stun a hog



DUNCAN, SC


The suspension of a Duncan slaughterhouse was put on hold after its owner told the U.S. Department of Agriculture that action had been taken to correct the errors that led to a hog being shot multiple times, electrocuted and stabbed while it was still living.

A USDA notice of suspension states Foster’s Meat was cited for an incident that occurred on May 22.

Three times in the following days, the company submitted plans of action to prevent similar occurrences, USDA records show. The plans were submitted to restart inspections and operations at the facility.

The USDA put the suspension on hold after Foster’s Meat staff were retrained on using a rifle and electric device to stun a hog; bleeding livestock; documenting, training and modifying stun techniques; and developing a documentation system to maintain records for stun standards.

The original suspension notice states on May 22 a worker used a .22-caliber rifle to shoot a hog in the head, which made it squeal and step backward.

Workers then stunned the hog and hoisted it in the air, but the animal was still conscious, the notice states.

The hog was then shot again with the .22-caliber rifle, according to the notice. The notice states the hog’s throat was then cut, but it didn’t bleed out.

After being lowered again to the floor, the hog was shot two more times, leaving it unconscious, according to the USDA.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent a letter to 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette asking his office to investigate the company, citing concerns about cruelty to animals.

Utility worker Eric Labelle, 47, of St-Colomban, Que.,employed by Quebec-based ExperTech, was electrocuted to death in Peterborough after equipment came into contact with overhead power lines








Peterborough, Ontario, Canada


On Monday (July 3), a utility worker was electrocuted in Peterborough after equipment came into contact with overhead power lines.

The accident, which happened at around 3:30 p.m. at an address on Brealey Drive near Parkhill Road, caused a widespread power outage affecting around 15,000 Peterborough Utilities customers in the west end of Peterborough.

Police, fire, and emergency medical services responded to the accident and Brealey Drive was closed between Ireland Drive and Parkhill Road West. Investigators from the Ontario Ministry of Labour were called in around 5:30 p.m.

Peterborough Utilities were unable to restore power to customers in the west end while the accident was being investigated. Once the initial investigation was completed, power was restored to most customers at around 7 p.m.

According to Peterborough police, the investigation has since been turned over to the Federal Ministry of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

The utility worker, a man in his late 30s or early 40s, was employed by Quebec-based ExperTech. ExperTech is contracted by Bell Canada to provision its network in Ontario and Quebec.



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An investigation is continuing after a 47-year-old worker from Quebec was electrocuted on Brealey Drive on Monday afternoon.

Eric Labelle, 47, of St-Colomban, Que., was a seven-year employee at ExperTech, a telecommunications network installation company operating in Ontario and Quebec, according to the Unifor union.
"The thoughts and prayers of our entire union are with Éric's family during this very sad time," Jerry Dias, Unifor national president, stated Tuesday. "His death is a poignant reminder that we must continue pushing employers and the government that work is safe for everyone."

Labelle had been seconded to work in Ontario, according to Unifor. Labelle leaves behind a wife and four children. He was a member of Unifor Local 8284 in St-Léonard, Que.

"You can be certain that our union is following the investigation to ensure that the regulations and guidelines surrounding health and safety were followed," stated Unifor Québec director Renaud Gagné.


City police closed Brealey Drive between Parkhill Road West and Ireland Drive for an investigation on Monday, July 3, 2017 after Eric Labelle, 47, of St-Colomban, Que., was electrocuted after making contact with an overhead power line while working in the area. (Reg Watson/Peterborough Examiner/Postmedia Network)

In honour of all who have died while working to earn a living, Unifor is calling on all levels of government for stronger enforcement of the law, with increased safety inspections and harsh penalties for those who would protect profit over people.

"The pain of the injured and lives of those lost must not go unrecognized and unaccounted for," Dias stated.

The accident around 3:30 p.m. knocked out power for an estimated 15,000 Peterborough Utilities customers in the west end.

"A third party company has made contact with the overhead power lines," Peterborough Utilities spokeswoman Susan Lake stated Monday.

Most customers had power restored by 6 p.m., but about 1,200 customers remained without power in the areas of Jackson Creek, Ravenwood Dr. and Parkhill Rd. W. (from Wallis Dr. to Brealey Dr.) until about 10 p.m. while the Ministry of Labour continued the investigation.


An Ornge air ambulance takes off on Monday, July 3, 2017 after Eric Labelle, 47, of St-Colomban, Que., was electrocuted after making contact with an overhead power line while working in the area. (Reg Watson/Peterborough Examiner/Postmedia Network)

An Ornge air ambulance landed in a field nearby around 4 p.m. and then took off around 4:50 p.m. without a patient, according to Ornge.

Local paramedics and city firefighters were also at the scene.



The Ministry of Labour arrives to investigate on Brealey Drive between Parkhill Road West and Ireland Drive on Monday, July 3, 2017 after Eric Labelle, 47, of St-Colomban, Que., was electrocuted after making contact with an overhead power line while working in the area. (Reg Watson/Peterborough Examiner/Postmedia Network)

City police closed Brealey Drive between Ireland Drive and Parkhill Road West for the investigation. The stretch reopened by 10 p.m. after the power was fully restored.

The Ministry of Labour arrived on scene at about 5:20 p.m. to begin an on-site investigation.

Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Canada also investigated because telecom wires are a federal jurisdiction.



City police closed Brealey Drive between Parkhill Road West and Ireland Drive for an investigation on Monday, July 3, 2017 after Eric Labelle, 47, of St-Colomban, Que., was electrocuted after making contact with an overhead power line while working in the area. (Reg Watson/Peterborough Examiner/Postmedia Network)

City police did not release any further information about the accident because it is not a criminal incident.

The investigation was centred around where a crew in a white Bell Canada truck had been working near the Stenson's Family Market stand.

It's the second electrocution death accident in Peterborough this year. A man was electrocuted on Brown Street in April.


A city public works crew puts up a road block after city police closed Brealey Drive between Parkhill Road after Eric Labelle, 47, of St-Colomban, Que., was electrocuted a worker was seriously injured after making contact with an overhead power line while working in the area. (Reg Watson/Peterborough Examiner/Postmedia Network)

Paul Featherston, 63, a DOTD worker, was filling a pothole on the highway when he was struck and killed by a Dodge Ram pick-up truck driven by Allen Olivier, 88 of St. Martinville on La. 31 in New Iberia, LA





NO DRIVING FOR OLD MEN.  THEY COMMIT MANY UNNECESSARY ACCIDENTS.  THEIR LICENSES NEED TO BE REVIEWED EVERY 3-5 YEARS TO ENSURE THEY ARE FIT TO OPERATE VEHICLES.

Having said that, how many times have I come up behind DOTD filling potholes with no warnings until you are right up on them. State need to protect their workers with earlier signs of warning.

 
UPDATE, 2:15 p.m.: An early morning crash claimed the life of a New Iberia man who worked for the state Department of Transportation and Development.

The initial Louisiana State Police investigation revealed that the crash occurred as 25-year-old
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) worker Markell Jenkins was stopped in the northbound lane of state Highway 31 near Greenbriar St. in a dump truck. The vehicle was displaying warning lights while a work crew was conducting road repairs in Iberia Parish.

At the same time, 88-year-old Allen Olivier of St. Martinville was traveling north on LA 31 in a Dodge Ram pickup truck, while 63-year-old DOTD employee Paul V. Featherston was standing behind the dump truck, working on the roadway.

For unknown reasons, Olivier failed to notice the dump truck. Olivier’s vehicle struck Featherston as he stood behind the dump truck, then struck the rear of the dump truck.

The Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office declared Featherston dead at the scene.

Olivier was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. He sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Jenkins was not wearing a seat belt and refused medical attention on scene.

Impairment is not suspected, but a toxicology sample was taken from Olivier and sent to the LSP Crime Lab for analysis. Jenkins voluntarily submitted a breath sample and was not impaired.

This is the third fatal crash during the Independence Day holiday that LSP troopers have investigated.

UPDATE, 11 a.m.: According to Louisiana State Police Troop I, just before 9 a.m. a state Department of Transportation and Development worker stopped to fill potholes on Highway 31 in Iberia Parish. While doing so, a Dodge Ram truck struck the worker on the roadway.

The crash occurred near the intersection of Highway 31 and Greenbriar Street in New Iberia, near the Sam Broussard Trucking yard.

The Iberia Parish coroner pronounced the DOTD worker dead at the scene. The identity of the victim is being held pending notification of next of kin.

The driver of the Dodge truck has been transported to a local hospital. Louisiana State Police say the crash is still under investigation.

Louisiana State Police warns against distracted driving.



PREVIOUS STORY, 9:44 a.m.:

Louisiana State Police is investigating a fatal accident on LA 31 at Greenbriar Street in Iberia Parish.

We have a crew en route and will post more information as it becomes available.





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IBERIA PARISH, La. -

State Police have released the identities of the two men involved in a crash on La. 31 in New Iberia this morning.

Paul Featherston, 63, a DOTD worker, was filling a pothole on the highway when he was struck and killed by a pick-up truck driven by Allen Olivier, 88 of St. Martinville, State Police said. Olivier passed a field sobriety test. He was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The investigation is continuing, a spokesman said.

For unknown reasons, Olivier failed to notice the dump truck stopped in the lane of travel. Olivier’s vehicle struck Featherston as he stood behind the dump truck, then struck the rear of the dump truck, the spokesman said.

Featherston was fatally injured and was pronounced dead on the scene by the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office.

DOTD issued a statement about Featherston's death.

He was a 24-year service employee, the statement indicates.

"While many of us are preparing to celebrate Independence Day with our loved ones, let us also keep Paul’s family in our thoughts and prayers," the statement reads. "DOTD would like to take this moment to again stress the importance of following safe driving tips during the Independence Day holiday. As motorists, we must all do our part to ensure we are practicing safe driving habits while on the road."

Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists of the importance of driving with caution in roadway construction zones, the spokesman said. Especially during the heavily traveled Independence Day holiday, drivers should slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits, warning signs, and flagmen directions. Drivers should also be sober, resist distractions and remain aware of their surroundings as there are often workers inside construction zones on our highways. Always remain vigilant and expect the unexpected as workers, work vehicles, or equipment may enter your lane or come to a stop suddenly, the spokesman said. 



DOTD worker Markell Jenkins
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TROOP I NEWS RELEASE
July 3, 2017

Highway Construction Worker Killed in Iberia Parish Crash


Iberia Parish – Shortly before 9:00 am, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop I responded to a two vehicle fatality crash on LA 31 just north of the city limits of New Iberia. The crash claimed the life of a New Iberia resident who worked for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). Unfortunately, this is the third fatal crash during the Independence Day holiday that Troopers have investigated.

The initial investigation by State Police revealed that the crash occurred as 25 year old DOTD worker Markell Jenkins was stopped in the northbound lane of LA 31 near Greenbriar St. in a 1999 International dump truck. The vehicle was displaying warning lights while a work crew was conducting road repairs. At the same time, 88 year old Allen Olivier of St. Martinville was traveling north on LA 31 in a 2013 Dodge Ram pickup truck. 63 year old DOTD employee Paul V. Featherston was standing behind the dump truck working on the roadway. For unknown reasons, Olivier failed to notice the dump truck stopped in the lane of travel. Olivier’s vehicle struck Featherston as he stood behind the dump truck, then struck the rear of the dump truck.

Featherston sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office. Olivier was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. He sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Jenkins was not wearing a seat belt and refused medical attention on scene. Impairment is not suspected, but a toxicology sample was taken from Olivier and sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis. Jenkins voluntarily submitted a breath sample and was not impaired.

Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists of the importance of driving with caution in roadway construction zones. Especially during the heavily traveled Independence Day holiday, drivers should slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits, warning signs, and flagmen directions. Drivers should also be sober, resist distractions and remain aware of their surroundings as there are often workers inside construction zones on our highways. Always remain vigilant and expect the unexpected as workers, work vehicles, or equipment may enter your lane or come to a stop suddenly.

Contact Information:
M/T Brooks David
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (337) 262-5880
brooks.david@la.gov
www.LSP.org

Stephen Deal, 20, of Meyersdale, Pa., and Jake LaFave, 25, of Cumberland, Md. the two CSX employees who were killed when they were hit by an Amtrak train as they were were checking possible wheel malfunction their freight train near Union Station



 Jake LaFave, 25, of Cumberland, Md.


Stephen Deal, 20, of Meyersdale, Pa.







D.C. police have identified the two CSX employees who were killed when they were hit by an Amtrak train late Tuesday.

Police identified the men as Stephen Deal, 20, of Meyersdale, Pa., and Jake LaFave, 25, of Cumberland, Md.

The men were struck by an Amtrak train while they were inspecting their freight train near Union Station.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash, said the two men — a conductor and a conductor trainee — had gotten off their freight train after a detector that looks for abnormalities was triggered, indicating that something was wrong with the wheels.

The crew members were trying to identify the problem and “were walking with their backs toward the approaching Amtrak train,” according to an NTSB report.

[CSX workers killed by Amtrak train were checking possible wheel malfunction]

In an email to employees Wednesday, CSX Chief Executive Hunter Harrison called the incident a “tragic loss” and said the company will review “every detail” to determine whether such incidents can be prevented.
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“This is truly a sad day for our company,” Harrison said. “Our sincere and deepest condolences go to the families, friends and co-workers of both men.”

LaFave, the conductor of the train, had joined CSX nearly four years ago, Harrison said. He said the young conductor was a second-generation CSX railroader. His father works as a dispatcher in the Chicago Division.

He was a native of Michigan, had studied computer systems and networking at Washtenaw Community College and had recently married and spent his honeymoon in Jamaica, according to his Facebook page. LaFave is survived by his parents and his wife, Caitlin.

Deal, a conductor trainee, had been with CSX for two years, Harrison said. He is survived by his parents, Donald and Loretta Deal.

“Jake and Stephen worked out of Cumberland, Md., and were valued members of the team,” Harrison said in the email. “An investigation is ongoing and we will thoroughly review every detail to understand the accident’s cause and determine how similar incidents can be prevented from occurring in the future.”

An NTSB official said Wednesday that it has yet to determine what communication, if any, there was between CSX and Amtrak before the crash.

Herbert Harris, D.C.’s state representative for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, told WTOP that Amtrak and CSX operate different radio systems and the CSX workers could not have warned the Amtrak engineer that they were on the tracks.

“So there wouldn’t have been any interactional communication between the crews unless CSX had notified either Amtrak or possibly the tower in Union Station that they had a crew that was either on the ground or had a train with a problem, and that may very well be one of the issues that they look into: the communication with whom, and what if any notification had been given,” Harris, who represents Amtrak engineers, told the radio station.

Police said Thursday that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the deaths were accidental. The NTSB and D.C. police say the investigation continues.

Amtrak train No. 175 was coming from Boston and New York to Union Station, with 121 passengers. There were no injuries on the 175 train, authorities said. The crash happened in an area where four sets of tracks come together — two of which are Amtrak’s and two of which belong to CSX. NTSB officials said the CSX train was crossing from one track to another and the Amtrak train was on an adjacent track. The crash happened near New York Avenue and Ninth Street NE, about a mile- and-a-half northeast of Union Station near Gallaudet University, according to fire and rescue officials

5 people from Mount Vernon suffered serious burns after an electrical problem caused illegal fireworks in their Lincoln Navigator SUV trunk to explode





TUXEDO, New York (WABC) --

An SUV burst into flames on a New York highway when an electrical problem caused fireworks in the trunk to explode Monday night, injuring five people.

State police said the Lincoln Navigator was traveling southbound on the Thruway in Tuxedo at around 9:30 p.m. when the electrical problem ignited the fireworks that were in the back.

Five people were inside and suffered serious burns. All were taken to Westchester Medical Center for treatment.

See video of the burning SUV in the player above.

Only the SUV was involved.

The incident is under investigation. It's not clear what caused the electrical problems.

Charges are possible against the people in the vehicle because the fireworks are illegal.

The five victims - all adults -- are from Mount Vernon.



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TUXEDO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Five people were hospitalized Tuesday after a car somehow exploded and burst into flames on the New York State Thruway.

The call came in at 9:17 p.m. Monday from near the town of Tuxedo in Orange County.

The local fire chef told CBS2’s Brian Conybeare that five people were injured with serious burns. They taken to the Westchester Medical Center trauma unit in Valhalla in critical condition.

Sources told CBS2 that police are investigating the possibility that there were fireworks in the vehicle.

Roadways in the area were closed after the explosion and response by firefighters and police, but the roadway later reopened.

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Here is another case where fireworks exploded inside the SUV in NH:


Man’s sparkler triggers fireworks explosion in back of SUV

AP,
July 3, 2017

PEMBROKE, N.H. (AP) — A man igniting a sparkler in New Hampshire has accidentally set fire to fireworks he had in his SUV, causing them to explode and sending him and his family scrambling for safety.

The Pembroke Fire Department says when it responded Sunday fireworks were exploding from inside the vehicle. Firefighters say they extinguished the fire without incident.

A fire department investigation shows the owner was behind the vehicle with the hatch open when he lit a sparkler. It says sparks from the sparkler ignited the fireworks, which had just been bought at a store in Hooksett.

The owner got himself and his family away from the vehicle until the fire department arrived.

The fire department says the best way to see fireworks is to watch a professional show.

ANOTHER UNDER-RIDDING DEATH: 64-year-old Tommy J. Causer of Osceola died after he crashed his pickup truck into a stopped TJ Rollins milk tanker truck on Route 49 in Tioga County.







FATAL CRASH CLAIMS OSCEOLA MAN'S LIFE
(Services Listed At End Of Article)
FNN Article UPDATE © 2017.

KNOXVILLE, PA - On Sunday evening, July 2, 2017, it was claimed that fire units from Osceola, Westfield, Knoxville and Elkland were dispatched to a two vehicle accident in Deerfield Township. A Valley Ambulance crew and Wellsboro Medics were also dispatched to the same accident scene, where a tractor-traiiler (a TJ Rollins milk truck) and a pickup truck came together just before 10:45PM.


FNN received two different locations of the accident, however, the accident apparently occurred between 5943 Route 49 and the Valley Community Ambulance building, located at 7125 Route 49. However, a family member stated the accident occurred by the old Payne Dairy in Knoxville, PA.

It was confirmed that there was one entrapment reported, when crews arrived on scene. The roadway was blocked due to the crash. The pickup truck received serious damage and came to rest in a field just off from Route 49, according to a motorist who passed the scene.

According to family members, Tom Causer, 64, of Osceola, passed away at the accident scene.

State police and fire crews remained on scene for several hours. The crash was investigated by troopers.

Fire personnel were cleared from the tragic crash just before 4:00AM.

Kenyon Funeral Home Inc., in Elkland is handling services for Tom Causer, 64, of Osceola. The viewing will take place on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral is set for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Prayer have been requested for family and friends of Tom Causer. Also special thanks going out from the family to all those who assisted at the scene.



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Driver killed when pickup slams into milk tanker

Updated on July 4, 2017 at 8:36 AM

By Matt Miller

mmiller@pennlive.com

A northern Pennsylvania pickup truck driver was killed when he drove into, and went completely under the trailer of a stopped milk tanker, state police said Tuesday.

According to Trooper Anthony Mazzone, the crash occurred just before 11 p.m. Sunday on Route 49 in Tioga County.

A milk tanker was backing into a farm with its trailer across the two-lane road when the pickup driven by 64-year-old Tommy J. Causer of Osceola struck it broadside.

Mazzone said the pickup went completely under the tanker's trailer and rolled into a field. Causer was pronounced dead at the scene, he said.

The tanker's driver, 62-year-old Timothy Rollins of Canisteo, N.Y., wasn't injured, Mazzone said.




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TIOGA COUNTY, PA (WENY) - Pennsylvania State Police in Mansfield say one man is dead after an accident with a milk truck Sunday night.

They say it happened shortly before 11:00PM Sunday July 2nd on Route 49, near Merrick Hill Road, in Deerfield Township.

Police say Tommy J. Causer, 64 of Osceola, was driving on Route 49. Police say Causer didn't see a milk truck backing into a farm. He reportedly hit the truck at a 90 degree angle, went underneath the trailer, and veered off into a field.

Police say Causer was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma.Fire and EMS crews from Osceola, Elkland, and Knoxville responded

More than 100,000 chickens died in a fire that destroyed a barn at Hillandale Farms in Tyrone Township a Pennsylvania, a commercial egg farm.










YORK SPRINGS, Pa. (AP) -- Authorities say more than 100,000 chickens died in a fire that destroyed a barn at a Pennsylvania commercial egg farm in Pennsylvania.

The blaze at Hillandale Farms in Tyrone Township was reported around 5:45 a.m. Saturday. Tyrone is about 29 miles (46 kilometers) southwest of Harrisburg.

A Heidlersburg Fire Company captain said flames were visible above the roof of the 600-foot (183-meter) barn by the time fire crews arrived.


Crews concentrated on keeping the blaze from spreading to other buildings. Three firefighters were treated at the scene, two for dehydration and one for a laceration.

The fire chief said adjacent chicken houses were undamaged and the animals unharmed. The burned building was destroyed.

Officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. It's believed to have been accidental.





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An early morning fire at a commercial egg farm in Tyrone Township, Adams County destroyed a barn and the more than 100,000 chickens inside, emergency officials said Saturday.

The 5:45 a.m. blaze at the Hillandale Farms facility off Oxford Road about three miles south of York Springs is believed to be accidental in nature, though the precise cause was not immediately available.

Flames were piercing through the roof of the low-slung, 600-foot barn by the time firefighters arrived on the scene, said Joseph Cassatt, captain of the fire police for the Heidlersburg Fire Company.

Shuttling water from nearby streams and ponds, crews were forced to attack the fire from the outside, with the aim of trying to keep the blaze from spreading to other buildings.

At its height, Cassatt said, the call involved units from three counties in Pennsylvania, as well as one in Maryland.

Three firefighters received medical treatment on the scene: two for dehydration brought on by the heat and humidity; and one for an unspecified laceration.

It was not immediately clear how the fire was discovered. Cassatt said the blaze was declared under control early Saturday afternoon, after dozers were brought in to level the remnants of the barn.

Last units cleared the scene about 3 p.m.

Hillandale bills itself as one of the nation's largest suppliers of eggs, selling under the Hillandale and Eggland's Best labels.

Attempts to reach the firm Saturday were unsuccessful, so no information was immediately available on the dollar value of the loss, or whether the fire will cause any temporary job losses to farm employees.

Cassatt, however, said he believed that all the chickens in the fire-damaged barn were killed. Some birds in two adjacent barns also perished due to heat, Cassatt added.