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| (Photo: Joshua Jongsma/NorthJersey.com) |
Bergen County DPW employee killed while removing tree in Saddle River, mayor says
Marsha Stoltz and Joshua Jongsma, NorthJersey
July 26, 2018
A Bergen County Department of Public Works employee was killed Thursday while removing a tree behind East Allendale Road in Saddle River, the borough's mayor said publicly during Thursday night's council meeting.
The 48-year-old employee, who was not identified, was one of five workers removing the tree at about 5:15 p.m. at the Saddle River when the bank gave way and it fell on him, Mayor Albert Kurpis said. He was trapped and the other workers were unable to lift the tree, and it was too late by the time help arrived, Kurpis said.
On Thursday night, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco released a statement that the worker was seriously injured and taken to The Valley Hospital. Saddle River Police Chief Jason Cosgriff could not confirm or deny if the employee died.
The Bergen County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene. When contacted county officials deferred comment to Tedesco's statement that the "county employee was transported to Valley Hospital in serious condition for treatment."
A Bergen County spokesman said that the State Office of Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health will investigate the incident.
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Thursday, July 26, 2018
SADDLE RIVER, New Jersey (WABC) --
A Bergen County employee was seriously injured when he was struck by a tree in a New Jersey park Thursday afternoon.
County executive Jim Tedesco said the Department of Public Works employee was working in Saddle River Park when the accident happened at about 5:15 p.m.
He was removing a tree that had partially fallen into the Saddle River. As he was cutting it, the root gave way and he fell into the river, then was struck by the tree.
The worker was taken to Valley Hospital in Ridgewood in serious condition.
He has been a DPW employee for four years.
A Bergen County spokesman said that the State Office of Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health will investigate the incident.