Bala Cynwyd man dies in fall into Lower Merion trash pit

Bala Cynwyd man dies in fall into trash pit

A 68-year-old Bala Cynwyd man died Saturday when he fell 45 feet into a trash pit at the township's public works complex in Penn Valley, police said.

The man, who was not identified, was participating in Lower Merion Township's fall cleanup event, which allows residents to bring household trash and recycling for disposal. Shortly before 1 p.m., the man, from the 100 block of Maple Avenue, fell into the pit for trash while unloading rubbish from a U-Haul truck, police said.

Authorities responded to the refuse pit in which he fell, located at the township's Koegel Public Works Complex along North Woodbine Avenue, and were able to remove the man. He was transported to Lankenau Hospital Trauma Center.

He died about 2:30 p.m., police said.

The cleanup event was canceled after the accident and will reopen at 8 a.m. Sunday. - Caitlin McCabe