Forest Service firefighter struck and killed near Round Valley Reservoir
Forest Service firefighter struck and killed near Round Valley Reservoir
28 March 2013
published by www.nj.com
USA — A state Forest Fire Service firefighter conducting a controlled burn near Round Valley Reservoir was struck and killed today, officials are reporting.
The accident happened when heavy smoke from the burn may have reduced visibility, county Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III said, apparently because the wind shifted.
“The victim was struck by a vehicle and did not survive his injuries, said Kearns.
The man was hit on Stanton-Lebanon Road (Route 629) near Round Valley late this morning. Kearns said the man was a firefighter with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. “He and other members were conducting a controlled burn along Route 629” at the time of the accident.
Clinton Rescue Squad and Clinton Township police were initially dispatched to the scene, which radio reports described as being between the main entrance and the boat launch of the state park. The incident was first reported around 11:30 a.m.
The accident is also under investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office Fatal Accident Collision Team and Clinton police. Paramedics from the Hunterdon Medical Center responded.
Kearns said, Our deepest condolences go out to the victims family and his colleagues in the Forest Fire Service.
The victims name is being withheld pending notification of family members. Police closed Route 629 in the area while conducting their investigation.
