The Camelback was developed to allow the use of larger fireboxes like the Wootten firebox. Yes, apparently more than one crew-member met his maker due to rods came through the cab. Apparently the larger firebox allowed them to burn the cheap and crappy coal and still have decent power.
The crew was separated and I believe all of them were hand fired. The only way you knew the fireman fall off is when the speed fell off because of no fire. 
The poor fireman was pretty much out in the open, must have been a pretty unpleasant job! I imagine in the summer sitting right next to the boiler like that was probably pretty warm. 
I believe PRR indeed did have camelbacks.
