Construction worker killed after excavator flips into river in New Jersey

WABC logo
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Construction worker killed after excavator flips into river in NJ
A worker died Thursday after his construction vehicle flipped into a river in New Jersey, trapping him in the frigid waters for over an hour.

LINDEN, New Jersey (WABC) -- A worker died Thursday after his construction vehicle flipped into a river in New Jersey, trapping him in the frigid waters for over an hour.



Crews desperately tried to rescue the man after the accident on Tremley Point Road in Linden around 8 a.m., but their efforts proved unsuccessful.



Police said the excavator got too close to the water and toppled over into about 6 feet of water in Arthur Kill, estimated to be approximately 40 degrees.



MORE NEWS | Father seen in disturbing video at NYC subway stop identified


An adult male was caught on video physically and verbally abusing two children on a subway platform at the Fordham Road Train Station in the Bronx.


It took rescuers and divers an hour to reach the victim.



"Ultimately, the victim was taken out of the crane by NYPD Aviation dive team, along with the Linden Fire Department, rescuers and a Zodiac boat that we had deployed into the water," Fire Chief William Hasko said.



He was rushed unresponsive the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.



"The individual was ultimately removed from the cab and transported to Trinitas Hospital," Linden police Lt. Chris Guenther said. "OSHA will be the lead investigative agency on this."



The investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear if wind was a factor or if the vehicle was just too close to the water.



The company involved, Simpson and Brown, did not have a comment on the incident. According to their OSHA record, they do have an open investigation from an incident in August.



ALSO READ | Snowy Owl in Central Park gives visitors once in a lifetime sight


People out enjoying Central Park Wednesday were graced with a once in a lifetime sight, a Snowy Owl.

----------


* Get Eyewitness News Delivered


* More New Jersey news


* Send us a news tip


* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts


* Follow us on YouTube


Submit a News Tip

Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.