On Saturday 13 March 2010 at 2122 Hours, Raritan Township PD patrol units were dispatched by Hunterdon County Communications to Copper Hill Road at the golf course bridge for a vehicle in the water.  Patrol units arrived in under two minutes and confirmed the driver was still inside the vehicle, which was located on the bridge in approximately one foot of rapidly moving and still rising water.  This location over the Third Neshanic River has been the site of numerous water rescue incidents over the years.  The river cuts through the Copper Hill County Club and under Copper Hill Road in the middle of the golf course.

BLS Unit 21-51 and Chief Hoffman arrived on the scene, followed shortly thereafter by Rescue 49-56, Marine Rescue 49-57 and Marine 495.  Rescuers in swiftwater PPE waded out to the vehicle and supplied the driver with a PFD before carefully escorting her out of the water.  Personnel then secured the winch from 49-56 to the vehicle and removed it from the water so that it could be safely removed by the tow service.  The driver was evaluated by the BLS crew and refused treatment.  Units then cleared the scene.

Several other water rescue calls were dispatched during the heavy rains that fell during the daytime and early evening hours today, but this one proved to be the only working rescue assignment.  A number of other calls were handled during the day. 

Thanks to all of the personnel who volunteered for stand-by duty during the storm and who turned out for the calls.

Copper Hill Road - Photo by Cindy K.

Copper Hill Road - Photo by Cindy K.