Bridge over Little Lehigh Creek in Lehigh County collapses with propane truck on it

Lori Lee WGOLV
Apr 29
2 min read

L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. - On Tuesday afternoon, a bridge spanning the Little Lehigh Creek in Lehigh County, which provides access to the Wildlands Conservancy, collapsed while a propane truck was on it.

The bridge collapsed around 12:30 p.m. along the 3700 block of Orchid Place in Lower Macungie Township, according to Lehigh County dispatchers.

The township police chief reported that the driver was trapped in the vehicle but was removed from the truck and did not suffer any injuries.

Photo courtesy Mike Nester - Nester Video Production

In a statement posted on Facebook (see below), the Wildlands Conservancy said the bridge collapsed while the propane truck was crossing it to enter the Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary.

The vehicle was compromised and was being recovered from the scene, the Wildlands Conservancy said.

***BRIDGE ACCIDENT AT DOROTHY RIDER POOL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, EMMAUS***

Today, around noon, there was an accident involving a propane truck crossing the bridge into Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary. The bridge collapsed while the propane truck was crossing the bridge to enter the property.

There are no known injuries, and there is no known environmental damage. The vehicle is compromised and being recovered from the scene. 𝗨𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆.

Wildlands staff is on the scene working with emergency personnel.

According to the Facebook post, public access to the sanctuary is currently restricted until further notice.

Initial reports indicated a propane leak from the propane truck involved in the crash. However, the township's fire chief later told 69 News that there was no hazardous release.

The Wildlands Conservancy possesses the private bridge, which is rated for five tons.

The police chief mentioned that crews need to unload the product from the truck.

A press release is expected later today.

The state Department of Environmental Protection states it is assisting Lehigh County emergency response teams.

This is a Developing story and will be updated as more information is received.

LoriLee

WGOLV