Barnegat Police, Emergency Services Bombarded With Calls For Help From Black Ice

by Patricia A. Miller

Twenty-five and counting.

That's the number of police and first aid calls Barnegat police responded to in a 90-minute period today, Lt. Keith Germain said.

The calls were all related to freezing rain and icy road conditions that "paralyzed" the town early this morning, he said.

"Beginning at 7:34 a.m., officers responded to 11 motor vehicle accidents including multi-car accidents and overturned vehicles," Germain said. "In addition, they responded to 14 first aid calls for fall victims who slipped and fell on the ice, many with head injuries. In all 16 people were transported to area hospitals."

Police also responded to roughly 40 calls from drivers whose vehicles had slid on icy road surfaces and left the roadways or were disabled, he said.

Both Route 539 north of Route 72 and Gunning River Road had to be closed to traffic due to extremely hazardous conditions. The roads remained closed for approximately an hour, Germain said.

Police were able to maintain an average six minute response time, despite the treacherous conditions. All   all personnel including detectives, ranking officers, and the police chief responded to multiple calls for service, he said.