In the wake of two devastating accidents at the same rail crossing in Derry, local companies are offering their time and materials to help prevent further injury or death.

Mayor Susan Bortz said the borough had received offers from multiple companies to provide new fencing, cement and other building materials to repair a 57-foot gap in the barrier near train tracks near the 100 block of East First Avenue.

It is illegal for pedestrians to cross there, but many use it as a shortcut.

She said details of when and where the fence will go up were being discussed, and as of yesterday, she did not have names of the companies and donations from each.

Massaro Construction Management Service donated chain link fence from Bethel Park High School's old tennis courts and delivered it to borough officials Friday.

Chuck Derito, Massaro CMS site manager and a 53-year Derry resident, said the material would have been sold as refuse if he hadn't remembered the company's previous community service efforts. He asked whether Massaro could help.

"Joe Massaro III gave his approval, and said I did the right thing," he said.

Mayor Bortz said the borough would use new fence that has been donated around the accident site, but would erect the used fencing at other portions of the track.

But will fencing the area effectively deter residents from using the shortcut that provides quick access to the borough's business district?

Councilwoman Kristine Melville said she supported creating a barrier rather than building a pedestrian walkway, because the Route 217 bridge is about 50 feet away and should be used to cross the tracks. She also said there are plans to repair the bridge in the next five to seven years, but residents can still safely use the walkway.

"At this point, I think putting in another walkway 50 feet from the bridge is a waste of taxpayer funds," she said. "If [residents] aren't going to use [the Route 217 bridge] now, who's to say they'll use it when it's brand new?"

She reiterated that residents who use the wide-open tracks to cross from one side of town to another not only put their lives in danger, but face a $300 fine.

"A temporary fine can be a hardship, but that's better than the permanent loss of a loved one," she said.

A representative of the Derry Police Department said an investigation of the Oct. 30 accident is ongoing.

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