Macungie Man's High-wire Act Ends in Injury

A Macungie man's circus-like workday on Thursday proved to be anything but comical when he was injured after jumping from above his rolling utility truck.

Ronald N. Reppert, 43, was working on overhead utility wires about 2:55 p.m. when the bucket truck began to roll, according to . Reppert was working in the bucket and had to jump to avoid more serious injury.

Police described the injury as moderate, but did not elaborate.

Reppert positioned his vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway near 4808 Scheirers Road in Lowhill Township, police said. However, Reppert apparently forgot to put the vehicle's transmission in park.

Reppert exited the truck, climbed into and raised the boom attachment on the vehicle's roof, and set to work on the utility wires, police said. Reppert next jumped from the boom bucket when the truck began to roll.

The truck continued to roll, struck an embankment and turned on its side, police said. The vehicle was suspended on two wheels. It tipped to the boom side, which supended the vehicle and prevented it from rolling over.

Reppert was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest by Northern Valley Ambulance, police said.