Jun 5, 2008 8:36 am US/Eastern
Gas Station Canopy Collapse Narrowly Misses Woman
LANGHORNE, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
A woman pumping gas at a Bucks County gas station was nearly crushed by a canopy that collapsed during Wednesday's storms.
The incident happened at a Lukoil gas station at the intersection of Maple and Pine Avenues in Langhorne.
Fortunately, the woman was not struck by the canopy because it was held up after it struck a gas pump.
A store clerk witnessed the entire incident from inside the gas station.
"I froze up, my mind was blank, it was really surreal," said Jason Ballman.
The fire chief said the canopy collapsed because of the water weight. There was a 20 minute downpour prior to the collapse.
"It's a very rare occurrence, in 18 years of the fire service, I have never seen a canopy tip over like this except in hurricane conditions," Chief Frank Farry said.
The owner of the gas station said the canopy is inspected once a year.
"It happens but we are blessed by God that no one was hurt, we are really blessed," Bill Barqawi said.
Luckily, the woman did not suffer any injuries and was able to drive herself home.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
