A Schuylkill County man has died following a workplace incident in Berks County, according to authorities.
Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio confirmed that Stephen Rapp, 48, of South Manheim Township near Auburn, was pronounced dead on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at approximately 8:41 p.m. at the emergency room of Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest.
An autopsy was conducted on Wednesday, revealing that the cause of death was mechanical asphyxia. The manner of death has been ruled accidental.
Rapp was reportedly working at his place of employment East Penn Manufacturing, located at 102 Deka Road in Lyon Station, Berks County, when the incident occurred. Details regarding the circumstances leading to his death have not yet been publicly disclosed.
The Fleetwood Police Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are actively investigating the incident to determine the events that led to Rapp’s death and whether workplace safety protocols were followed.