Somerset County School Goes Remote After Woman Falls Down Elevator Shaft

SOMERSET, NJ — Central Jersey College Prep Charter School's Somerset Campus reopened on Tuesday but only for remote learning after a woman from Watchung fell down an elevator shaft on Thursday.

Following the directives from Franklin Township officials, Dr. Namik Sercan, Chief Education Officer of the charter school, which serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12, said in a letter to the community that the school would be closed this week.

"As a result, we worked with the Department of Education, the County Superintendent’s Office, and the appropriate emergency officials to get approval for remote learning while the building is closed," said Sercan.

The school switched to remote instruction on Tuesday and will remain remote through Friday, Feb. 10.

The identity of the 38-year-old Watchung woman who fell was not disclosed but the school did say she was a staff member and "a valued member of our community."

"I know I share the hopes and thoughts of our entire community when I say that her health and recovery is a top priority in our minds and would ask for your continued prayers and best wishes," said Sercan.

The school is also offering counseling services at the Franklin Youth Center and New Brunswick locations to serve members of their community, including students and staff members. They will continue to be onsite at both locations for both walk-in and scheduled appointments.

On Thursday, Feb. 2 at 2:28 p.m., the Franklin Township Police Department got a 911 call reporting an injured fall victim located inside a building on Mettlers Road, said Franklin Township Police Lt. Vincent T. Wilson. Read More: Watchung Resident Falls Down Elevator Shaft At Somerset County School

Franklin Township Police Officers, along with the Middlebush Fire Company, Somerset Fire Company, Elizabeth Avenue Fire Company, and Millstone Valley Fite Department went to the school to extract the victim, a 38-year-old Watchung resident, from inside an elevator shaft, said Wilson.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital BLS and ALS treated the victim, who sustained multiple injuries.

The victim was treated and taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-New Brunswick.

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