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Truck Driver Ignores Weight Limit and Causes Wooden Bridge to Collapse into Pennsylvania Creek; Propane Truck Partially Submerged
On April 29, a propane tank truck fell into a creek after crossing a wooden bridge with a clearly exceeded weight limit.
The accident occurred in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania when the vehicle attempted to cross a bridge connecting Orchid Place to Wildlands Conservancy.
Collapse Caused by Excess Weight
The truck driver ignored a sign indicating the bridge’s weight limit of five tons.
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The fully loaded tank truck likely weighed between 10 and 15 tons — at least twice the allowed weight.
The structure could not withstand the weight and gave way before the vehicle completed the crossing. The truck fell directly into Little Lehigh Creek.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, there were no injuries or gas leaks. The company owning the truck confirmed that it is cooperating with local authorities to investigate the incident.
Error Considered Avoidable
Local residents described the incident as an error that could have been easily avoided.
Brad Landis, a resident of the area, explained to CBS News Philadelphia that truck drivers typically use an alternative route instead of the bridge. “Most of the time, when heavy equipment comes through here, they take this road because of the bridge“, he stated.
The alternative road is clearly visible on applications like Google Maps, and drivers with commercial licenses should be aware of the weight restrictions on bridges.
The incident raised questions about the driver’s preparation and attention.
Local Impacts and Recovery
The removal of the tank truck required the use of a crane, causing a temporary disruption in electricity supply in nearby areas.
Additionally, the damaged bridge is one of the main accesses to the local conservation area, which is expected to impact traffic and activities in the region until the structure is restored.
Authorities stated that repair work is already underway and that the goal is to reopen the bridge as soon as possible.
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