July 28th, 2006 

MARLBORO TWP., N.J. - Around 9:15 a.m. on July 28, the Marlboro Twp. 9-1-1 Center received multiple calls reporting an overturned truck on U.S. Highway Route 18 northbound, underneath the Route 520 overpass. Fire and EMS units were dispatched as soon as the calls started flooding the dispatch center.

First-arriving patrol reported a large dump truck on its side with heavy white smoke coming from the vehicle and spreading across all lanes of traffic north and southbound.

Shortly before Fire Chief Badler of the Robertsville Fire Dept. arrived on the scene, he was informed that there was a victim trapped underneath the truck. Moments later, dispatch relayed an update that the victim was DOA and trapped underneath the vehicle.

Upon the chief's arrival, he assumed command and performed a quick survey, noting that the full load of dirt was spread across two traffic lanes and a minor leak of diesel fuel was on the ground. At that time, it became a crime scene and body recovery situation for fire department personnel. They would have to lift the dump truck cab off of the upper torso of the deceased victim.

A protective handline was stretched from Rescue-Engine 274 on arrival, and a rehab area was set up by Heavy Rescue 286 and Utility 287.

Marlboro EMS Capt. Greenburg arrived on the scene and set up an EMS sector. He again reported the one confirmed DOA, and then an additional two BLS injuries - One from the overturned vehicle and the other from a secondary accident that occurred on the southbound side due to the original heavy smoke condition emitting from the overturned truck.

A lengthy accident investigation ensued by local and state police, as well as a cleanup by the N.J. State DOT.

At the conclusion of the documentation of the scene by law enforcement, the fire department was given the OK to remove the body. The vehicle was stabilized and airbags were used to disentangle the body from the wreck. The cause is still under investigation.