Over 100 vintage train fans fall ill seeing locomotive roll through their Pennsylvania town [View all]
Source: The Independent
Friday 03 July 2026 15:54 EDT
More than 100 people received medical attention due to heat-related illness Thursday at a train show in Reading, Pennsylvania, declaring it a “mass casualty incident.” Crowds gathered at Reading Outer Station in Muhlenberg Township to watch the historic Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive.
Operational delays pushed the locomotive’s arrival back more than an hour, leaving attendees waiting in about 106-degree heat, the Muhlenberg Township Police Department said in a news release.
“More than 100 individuals received medical treatment on scene, and 35 patients were transported to area hospitals for further evaluation and care. One patient suffered cardiac arrest and was successfully resuscitated prior to transport,” the police said.
The train's delayed arrival due to the heat meant many spectators had to remain in the blistering sun longer than expected, worsening the situation, officials said. Emergency medical crews quickly exhausted local resources and called for assistance from neighboring Chester and Montgomery counties.
Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/reading-pennsylvania-locomotive-show-heat-illness-b3008651.html
Heard about this on my weather forum.
= new reply since forum marked as read