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WILDWOOD – At least 22 people, including 10 from Branchville, who were in town for the New Jersey Firefighters Convention, were treated at Jersey Shore Hospitals over the weekend following the collapse of the New Jersey Fire Department. a multi-storey bridge in a private residence. Saturday night.
Of the injured, 19 were released by the Cape May Regional Medical Center late Saturday night, but three of them – including the girlfriend of a Branchville firefighter – remained hospitalized Sunday at the trauma center. AtlantiCare of Egg Harbor Regional Medical Center, about 40 kilometers to the north. after being airlifted overnight for what has been described as more serious injuries.
The details on their condition were not immediately available on Sunday. An AtlantiCare spokeswoman said the family members of the three people had asked that no information be disclosed.
All other Branchville firefighters and their family members who were injured in the collapse of the bridge, including two children, were released Saturday night, officials said.
Branchville Fire Chief Jon Frato suffered what he described as a crushed ankle and leg when the collapse occurred around 6 pm On Saturday, during a telephone conversation, about 12 of the 30 members of the No. 1 Branchville Hose Company were in town for the annual convention, which attracts thousands of current and retired firefighters to the resort in September.
Frato said the bridge had caved so quickly that he still did not know how it had happened. "We were all sitting at this place and the next thing you know, the bridge we were driving on let go and fell on the concrete below us, then the bridge over fell on us" , did he declare.
Sussex County Fire Marshal Virgil Rome, a member of the Fredon Fire Department who was also in town for the convention, said that he had learned of the existence of the collapse after having heard the sirens of the first responders rushing to the scene. "From there, the message spread quickly enough," he said.
A resident nearby, Joann Devito, said that she was sitting on her own deck when she heard a noise, went back and "saw everything give way", after which she saw "two women running and screaming".
Wildwood Fire Chief Daniel Speigel said Sunday that the second and third floor decks "had suffered a complete pancake-style collapse" in the three-story and seven-unit condominiums to which they had been attached.
He praised the efforts of the first responders gathered in the region who jumped into action to free those who were trapped.
"Whatever they are, I wanted to say thank you for helping us get the victims removed," said Speigel. "All the victims were abducted in less than an hour and transported (to the hospital), which is pretty phenomenal."
Rome said that firefighters from other departments of Sussex County and the state had generously offered offers of assistance to the wounded, including free accommodation and return packages for those in need. people without other means of transport. "There have been many offers of assistance, which is very encouraging, and everyone is grateful that it is not worse," said Rome.
The Sussex County Fire Chief's Association, in a Facebook post on Sunday, said it had been asked "to send thanks to everyone on behalf of our friends and family." injured family members in the bridge that collapsed last night.They are extremely grateful for the outpouring of calls, texts, messages of concern and wishes for happiness. Hose Company and the families Frato, Whitehead, Hanshaw, Healy and McCullough, thank you all. "
The cause of the collapse of the bridge remains under study. In a statement, the Wildwood Fire Department said it was working with the city's construction office and with building owners, engineers, and contractors to secure a roof. which was no longer supported because of the collapse.
Initial reports initially estimated the number of wounded in Branchville between six and eight, but Frato said the actual number was 10.
You can also contact Eric Obernauer on Twitter: @EricObernNJH or by phone at 973-383-1213.
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