In Potter County, two were killed in work accidents in three days

A north-central Pennsylvania county about 250 miles from Philadelphia had two fatal workplace accidents in three days.

First, a bulldozer accident killed a man who was working on a log road in the county. The 23-year-old was fatally injured when his bulldozer turned over on a small hillside. The accident was believed to have occurred early in the morning, though he was not discovered until that evening. He was deceased when time rescue workers arrived. Officials said the bulldozer dated to 1970 and, although it was well maintained, it lacked safety equipment that would be included on a newer model, such as a safety harness.

Three days later, a 35-year-old man died in the northeastern part of the county. He logging on state land and was trying to cut down a maple tree at the time of the accident. As he tried to cut the tree, the top of a cherry tree fell on him. The cherry tree had leaned against the maple tree, the county coroner told local media.

The accident happened when a coworker was gone. When the coworker ”“ who was a relative ”“ returned five minutes later, the man was down. Officials said the tree, called the widow marker, hit the man in the neck and caused nearly instant death.

Fatal work accidents like these cause untold grief and cut short the lives of people in their prime. Family members of fatally injured workers who are covered by workers’ compensation may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits. These benefits will never make up for the loss of a loved one, but they can provide financial assistance for families.

Source: The Bradford Era, “Tioga County man dies in logging accident in Ulysses Township,” Amanda Jones, March 24, 2014; The Bradford Era, “Youngsville man killed at Potter County work site,” Amanda Jones, March 20, 2014