EMS Response to Fatal Motorcycle Accident

On Saturday October 18, 2008 at approximately 19:00hrs, District 4 EMS was dispatched to Route 287 North between Exits 5 & 6 for a report of a downed motorcyclist that was unconscious. BLS 17 quickly called in service with 3 members. While BLS and fire units were enroute, PD informed units responding that it was actually in the South bound lanes between 4 & 5. PD arrived and found a seriously injured male in the middle lanes with a passer by performing CPR. BLS 17 arrived shortly after and began to assist. While working on the operator of the bike, the crew was also informed that there was another patient standing on the side of the road. While 2 members of the crew and PD worked on the driver of the bike, a third member went to assist the passenger of the bike. At this point BLS 17 went to confirm that additional BLS was responding from South Plainfield to assist. Mercy 6 arrived and then began ALS treatment of the critically injured driver and encouraged a speedy transport. The decision was made to leave behind one member for the passenger while the rest of the crew and ALS transported the critical patient. South Plainfield Fire then arrived to assist with the damaged bike. The passenger of the bike had a serious leg injury but otherwise was not that seriously injured. After reaching the hospital, the driver was pronounced dead at JFK and the passenger was tranported to Robert Wood Johnson Medical center in New Brunswick. All units were back in service by approximately 21:00 hrs.