The Egg Harbor Township Fire Department in Atlantic County, NJ, responded to Milepost 8.5 eastbound on the Atlantic City Expressway at 07:16 hours for a report of a motor vehicle crash on July 4.
The Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company was initially dispatched, and as Chief Gil Zonge was responding, he was updated by dispatch that the crash involved a box truck with entrapment and possibly a fire.
An Assistant Chief from the Atlantic City International Airport Fire Department arrived on scene shortly before Chief Zonge and updated the situation. Once Chief Zonge arrived, he requested additional jaws units with Farmington and Bargaintown crews being dispatched, plus Rescue 24 from the Airport Fire Department.
Command was advised by dispatch of two birds to fly with short ETA's. As Farmington was the nearest company to assist, they shut down the expressway and landed the bird close to the scene.
A long extrication ensued following the crash, which involved a box truck and a car. Both vehicles ended up in the woods, with one person trapped underneath and the car severed in two.
After a 90-minute extrication effort, three patients were rescued and in critical condition. At the one hour mark, command requested the Scullville Fire Company for relief. Once the patients were removed, firefighters rehabbed and then de-conned gear and themselves.
The scene wasn't cleared until after 14:00 hours to remove the wreckage. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the New Jersey State Police.
