Feb 17th, 2005
An officer of an environmental services company inspecting a property for demolition yesterday on the grounds
of the old Philadelphia State Hospital (Byberry) in the Far Northeast fell to his death after a stairway gave way,
police said.
The victim was identified as James Lowe III, 49, of Spring City. Lowe worked for LVI Environmental Services
Inc., a nationwide abatement and demolition company. The company's Web site identifies Lowe as president of
the company's Philadelphia branch office, based in Downingtown.
Lowe and another employee, David Pearson, 38, were surveying from floor to floor in a Byberry building in the
2600 block of Southampton Road when the accident occurred.
Lowe fell two floors, police said. Pearson called 911 on his cellular phone. Fire paramedics pronounced Lowe
dead at the scene at 10:50 a.m.