SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio said three deaths reported Sunday are being attributed to snow shoveling and snow removal activity during the powerful winter storm that moved through the region.
According to Buglio, the individuals ranged in age from 60 to 84 years old and were reportedly engaged in shoveling snow or clearing snow prior to experiencing a medical emergency.
Following investigation, the manner of death in all three cases has been ruled natural, the coroner said Monday in a news release.
Out of respect for the families, their identities have not been released.
The coroner’s office said the incidents are consistent with sudden medical events, often cardiac-related, that can occur during strenuous physical activity such as snow removal, particularly among older adults or those with underlying health conditions.
The deaths came as the Lehigh Valley was dealing with a significant winter storm that dumped more than a foot of snow across parts of the region on Sunday.
The storm led to hazardous travel conditions, widespread snow removal efforts and record snowfall for the date at Lehigh Valley International Airport.
While the heavy snow ended Sunday night, dangerously cold temperatures remain, further complicating cleanup efforts.
There now have been four weather-related deaths in Lehigh County this winter.
A 93-year-old Lower Macungie Township woman died outside her home of hypothermia last week. She was Lehigh County's first weather-related fatality of 2026.
