COAL TOWNSHIP - A 37-year-old Shamokin man was killed Sunday when he was thrown from a dirt bike on a mountain road not far from Shamokin.
Malcolm Walburn was identified as the victim by Coal Township Deputy Police Chief Chris Williams. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Northumber-land County Coroner James F. Kelley.
No further official details were available Sunday night.
Reports from the scene indicate Walburn lost control of a dirt bike and was thrown to the ground.
The crash was reported to Northumberland County 911 at 7:05 p.m. It occurred on a road known locally by some as "Mile Road." It has an access point along Trevorton Road near the Cameron Bridge and is used as a route for heavy mining equipment.
The crash occurred north of the 600 block of First Street, Shamokin, where a
paved road gives way to a dirt path. A large group of people believed to be Walburn's family and friends were openly grieving in that area of First Street.
A woman who lives nearby said she observed an adult male riding on a dirt bike before the crash, traveling east on West Independence Street before turning north onto First Street and entering the woods.
Investigating the crash with Williams was Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Henrich. Assisting were police officers from Shamokin and Ralpho Township. Also responding were Northumberland County Deputy Coroner James R. Gotlob, fire and rescue personnel from Shamokin and Coal Township, and AREA Services ambulance.