September 14th, 2020

​On Friday 11 September at 2028 Hours, the Hunterdon County Technical Rescue Task Force was dispatched to Route 78 near Turkey Hill Road in Bethlehem Township for a serious motor vehicle crash with a vehicle reported to be off of the roadway and down a steep embankment

SBES responded to this call as part of the HCTRTF.  We were initially called to assist with a BLS unit then upgraded to a rescue assignment.  Heavy Rescue 365 and Rescue 365 responded with 11 personnel and operated until 2330 hours.   REHAB365 was special called by command to also assist with monitoring the rescuers..

Upon arrival, HCTRTF personnel assisted local emergency services with a search for a possible victim reported to have been ejected from the vehicle on impact. Crews used rope systems to access the crash site and searched the densely wooded area. Chainsaws were used to clear debris and create a path. The NJSP NorthSTAR helicopter assisted with the search from above with their FLIR system. The search proved negative. Unfortunately, one subject in the vehicle did not survive the crash.

Personnel set up a monopod system on Heavy Rescue 365 in order to rig a rope haul system on the embankment. The victim was then extricated and carefully brought up to the roadway via the rope system.

Units cleared as released by command.

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