WEST DEPTFORD, N.J. (WPVI) — Two men on snow patrol for the New Jersey Department of Transportation rescued two men from an overturned utility truck on Wednesday morning after it crashed off Route 295 and into the Hessian Run Tributary.
John Reilly and Dalton Applegate work with Johnson Specialized Transportation Inc under contract with NJDOT. They jumped out of their trucks when they saw the crash.
“I looked over at the last second and saw the truck down the embankment upside down on its roof. I immediately pulled off, slammed on my brakes and got out,” Reilly said.
He said he noticed fuel leaking into the roadway and into the water below. Applegate was following behind him in another truck.
“The only thing I could think of is, ‘We gotta get these guys out of here,'” Applegate said.
Reilly said he first helped the passenger out of the vehicle. The driver was trapped inside.
NJDOT workers rescue 2 men from overturned truck in West Deptford
“I saw the driver was trapped and he had his seatbelt that was holding him in. He was under the water. The water line was up to his nose,” Reilly said.
Applegate said he found a knife and handed it to Reilly.
“I was able to find a knife and give it to John, and he was able to cut him free and actually pull him up out of the truck,” Applegate said.
Body camera video shows West Deptford police officers arriving on the scene and taking over the rescue effort.
“We’re here, obviously, as police officers to do everything we can to keep the community safe, but it doesn’t work unless everybody’s working together. We’re really fortunate today that was something that really was brought to life,” said Police Chief John Craig
When the truck crashed, it narrowly missed an NJDOT Safety Service Patrol (SSP) operator, who had been assisting a motorist in the right shoulder at the time of the crash.
NJDOT’s SSP operator stayed at the top of the embankment to assist the tow truck drivers in safely bringing the victims back to the roadway.
Fire and hazardous materials crews also responded to clean up the fuel spill.
New Jersey State Police are investigating the crash.
The two men are recovering with non-life-threatening injuries.
“If there’s a chance for you to help people if you have the opportunity, even if times are tough for you, help them. I believe good things come around,” Applegate said.
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