Heat at Big Boy Stop Sends 100-Plus to Medical Care in Pennsylvania
Updated
Updated · FOX 29 Philadelphia · Jul 2
Heat at Big Boy Stop Sends 100-Plus to Medical Care in Pennsylvania
3 articles · Updated · FOX 29 Philadelphia · Jul 2
Summary
More than 100 people needed medical evaluation and care after a mass casualty event Thursday at Reading Railroad Outer Station in Muhlenberg Township, Pennsylvania.
Heat-related illnesses hit crowds gathered to see Union Pacific's Big Boy steam locomotive, which was running nearly one hour behind schedule because of the heat.
Around 2 p.m., first responders set up tents and cooling buses at Muhlenberg Park, while dozens of ambulances and regional mutual-aid crews handled triage, treatment, transport and logistics.
Emergency resources came from multiple jurisdictions across Berks, Lancaster, Chester and Schuylkill counties, with fire, EMS, law enforcement, emergency management, communications teams and hospitals involved.
Authorities have not released the exact number affected or patient conditions; Big Boy's Northeast tour continues toward a scheduled July 4 arrival at Philadelphia's Navy Yard.