Monmouth Battlefield State Park Worker Seriously Injured When Branch Falls On Him

MANALAPAN, NJ - A State Parks maintenance worker at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan sustained serious head injuries Wednesday afternoon when a heavy branch from a tree fell on top of him while he was cutting it down, Patch has learned. The worker was cutting it down at the trunk, and he was wearing full protective gear at the time, including a helmet.

The worker was airlifted to an area hospital and is currently in critical condition, said Bob Considine, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees New Jersey's state parks. Manalapan Township police confirmed the airlift and the accident.

The work was being conducted according to established State Park System tree-felling protocol, Considine said. The maintenance worker was wearing full protective gear for the tree removal, including a helmet, face shield, gloves and safety chaps. The worker was also being assisted by two spotters for the tree removal.

The workers were removing trees to prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that kills ash trees.

As Patch has reported, Division of Parks and Forestry staff have been removing trees infested with, or at risk of becoming infected with, the Emerald Ash Borer to stem the spread of the destructive insect and protect the landscape of state-owned lands.

Monmouth Battlefield State Park entrance sign/Wikimedia Commons/Source: Own work/Author: Floodmfx