More than 100 people treated for heat-related symptoms at Pa. event
July 3 (UPI) — Authorities in Pennsylvania’s Berks County declared a mass casualty incident when more than 100 people waiting to see a train were treated for heat-related symptoms.
A crowd of thousands gathered Thursday afternoon at the Reading & Blue Mountain Railroad Outer Station in Muhlenberg Township to glimpse Big Boy, the world’s largest steam-powered locomotive, which is currently on tour for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
The train’s arrival was delayed for more than an hour as local temperatures climbed to 106 degrees.
Berks County 911 started to receive 911 calls about 1:30 p.m., and ambulances and firefighters from surrounding counties were summoned to assist.
More than 100 people were treated for heat-related maladies, and 45 of those were transported to local hospitals. One patient went into cardiac arrest, but was resuscitated before being transported to hospital.
Officials said children and the elderly made up the majority of those affected.
Big Boy rolled through the station around 2:30 p.m., before continuing on toward Philadelphia.