Woman, 73, killed after powerful winds knock over light pole at Roxborough High School track
Roxborough High School field closed after woman hit, killed by light pole
The School District of Philadelphia continues to inspect more light poles on district properties, as poles were removed from around the Roxborough High School football field, after a woman was struck and killed by one felled in a powerful wind gust.
ROXBOROUGH - Tragedy in a Roxborough neighborhood, due to powerful winds after a woman was killed by a light pole that snapped during a wind gust, sources say.
The woman, 73, was walking on the Roxborough High School track Thursday around 11 a.m., when a wind gust blew through the area, knocking the wooden light pole to the ground, and hitting the woman.
James Doughtery says he saw the pole tumble, "I got here and I saw it fall and I saw her fall down. Others were here working out. I thought I hope she’s okay."
Sources said medics worked for about 20 minutes to stabilize the woman before she was rushed to a local hospital where, sadly, she succumbed to her injuries and died.
Roxborough High School is suspending all outdoor activities on the field. The School District of Philadelphia said, in a statement, that the district would be "…working with appropriate agencies to inspect and assess wooden poles across District facilities" to ensure the safety of all who attend events.
Officials say the pole snapped at its base during high wind gusts. The pole also had a heavy power electric break box attached to it, with the weight of the pole said to be around one ton, 2,000 pounds with all that was attached to it.
Inspectors noticed that it was installed just inches away from a rain runoff drain. Sources say it will all be investigated to see if a combination of what appears to be dry rot from the wood pole, weakened by water flow around it and rainwater backup surrounding it.
Friday, at the far end of the Roxborough High School football field, a long arm from a truck grips a light pole as workers surround the base. The pole came loose and was pulled away. Two of the three poles remaining were all taken down.
Sources say the victim lived near the field. Her vehicle was driven away Friday morning by a family member.
School police guarded the field Friday, keeping the curious back.