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New Jersey Man Jumps Into Vat Of Acid To Save Coworker
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 7, 2012
Modified May 7, 2012
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 7, 2012
Modified May 7, 2012
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A roofer jumped into a vat of acid to save his co-worker who fell 40 feet through the roof into the liquid. NorthJersey.com reports that the men were working on the roof of the Swepco Tube LLC tubing company in Clifton when one fell and was fully submerged in a solution that contained 40-70% nitric acid. The worker was waist-high in acid pulling his peer out, while three other employees assisted. "It takes a lot of courage," Fire Chief Vince Colavitti said, in what strikes us as an understatement.
The victim was airlifted to the hospital with head-to-toe burns, and his condition is unknown but "life-threatening," while his coworker has burns from the waist down and is in "serious" condition.
An OSHA rep confirmed to the outlet that they were investigating the incident, and Colavitti noted that the contractor didn't have a permit to perform work on the roof, which would have forced a safety inspection before or after the repairs. The roof needed replacing because "over the years acid steam and mist ate away at the corrugated metal roof above the tank."
Tagged
acid
clifton
heroism
new jersey
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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