Propane Truck Overlooks Weight Restriction of Wooden Bridge and Plunges Into a Creek

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      A propane truck fell through a wooden bridge in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, in an entirely preventable incident that could have endangered the driver's life. The Sharp Energy truck driver was reportedly carrying a full load on Tuesday afternoon, April 29, when they decided to turn onto the wooden bridge that links Orchid Place with the Wildlands Conservancy. They barely traveled a full truck’s length before the structure gave way, sending the tanker into Little Lehigh Creek.

      Sharp Energy informed CBS News Philadelphia, “We are aware of the situation and are collaborating closely with local authorities to investigate the incident.”

      How could this have been avoided? Firstly, there is a sign prior to the bridge that clearly indicates a five-ton weight limit. Truck drivers with a CDL are expected to be aware of their trucks' weight for circumstances like this. Even if the driver was unsure of the truck's exact weight, they should have at least taken a moment to check. The typical weight of a fully loaded propane tanker ranges from 10 to 15 tons, which is at least double the limit of the bridge.

      CBS Philadelphia / Google Maps

      Furthermore, it appears this is a mistake that other truck drivers typically avoid. Local residents mentioned that there is an alternate road truck drivers use to bypass the bridge, which is easily viewable on Google Maps, even if it's somewhat less convenient. “Most of the time when heavy equipment comes in here, they take this road because of the bridge. Perhaps they didn’t realize there was a weight limit,” said Emmaus resident Brad Landis to CBS News Philadelphia.

      Fortunately, the driver emerged unscathed from the collapse, and there were no propane leaks. A crane crew spent several hours extracting the tanker, and the recovery effort temporarily disrupted power for nearby residents. It also damaged one of the conservancy’s main access points, which will be a significant inconvenience until it is repaired. The town is actively working on the bridge, and hopefully, it will be restored soon.

      I don’t drive large trucks, nor do I envy those who do. Maneuvering those massive, heavy vehicles seems like a tough job, so I don’t like to be overly critical. But come on, there was a sign right there.

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