Community Corner

Investigation Continues Into Tragic Water Tower Accident

Lower Providence officials stated the fall that lead to a maintenance worker's death in Audubon may have been due to equipment malfunction.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is continuing its investigation of a worker who fell to his death inside an empty Audubon water tower on Dec. 5.

Montgomery County Coroner Walter Hofman reportedly ruled the workers’ death as an accident.

The worker, identified as Jason Schmidt, 31, of York County, was an employee of Corrosion Control Corp. in Pedricktown, N.J.

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Schmidt and a co-worker were said to be on duty performing maintenance work in the 100-foot water tower when the incident occurred.

Schmidt’s co-worker also fell into the tower, located on Featherbed Lane, but was suspended for nearly three hours before being rescued.

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Lower Providence officials believed the workers’ equipment malfunctioned, but did not offer further explanation, according to the Inquirer article. The article adds that OSHA investigated a workplace fatality involving Corrosion Control in Philadelphia in 2008.

For the full story, visit www.philly.com.

For more on the story:

  • Officials ID Victims in Audubon Water Tower Accident
  • One Dead at Audubon Water Tower


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