Cop, EMT Save Man's Life After Arm Severely Cut By Lawnmower In Somerset County

PEAPACK/GLADSTONE, NJ — Thanks to Peapack & Gladstone Detective Nicholas Ortiza's fast actions a landscaper's life was saved after he suffered a severe cut from a lawnmower on Wednesday.

On May 8 at 3:15 p.m., Ortiz was called to the area of Mosle Road and South Street for the report of a landscaper who had cut his arm with a zero-turn walk behind lawnmower.

Ortiz found the 33-year-old man from Far Hills bleeding heavily from his right arm and suffering from a severe traumatic laceration to his right forearm, said Peapack And Gladstone Police Department.

Ortiz quickly assessed the man, applied a department-issued tourniquet to the victim’s right arm, and used additional pressure to stop the bleeding, said police.

Peapack – Gladstone First Aid & Rescue Squad members then arrived to offer life-saving measures to the victim.

"Through the quick assessment and actions of Detective Ortiz and the members of the Peapack – Gladstone First Aid Squad the victim’s life was saved," said police.

Members of the Peapack – Gladstone First Aid & Rescue Squad took the victim to Komline Park on Apgar Avenue where an NJ State Police Medevac airlifted him to University Hospital in Newark.

"All officers of the Peapack & Gladstone Police Department receive training in injury assessment, hemorrhage control and application of tourniquets for severe arterial injury. All officers are equipped with either a SOF tactical tourniquet or Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT)," said police.

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