South Brunswick NJ cemetery worker rescued after falling into grave

SOUTH BRUNSWICK – A 47-year-old cemetery worker was taken to the hospital in stable condition Tuesday after more than two dozen emergency responders worked to rescue him from a 6-foot grave at Holy Cross Cemetery.

South Brunswick police received a report around 12:55 p.m. Tuesday about a man who fell into a grave at the cemetery, 840 Route 535. Members of South Brunswick EMS, the Monmouth Junction and Monroe fire departments responded, police said.

When they arrived they found the man about 6 feet down in the grave. The man was working on the site when a piece of wood gave way and he fell in, police said.

A special trench and rescue team from the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad responded to the cemetery. Princeton Squad Chief Matthew Stiff said it took time to secure the grave site and get the man out.

“Rescue technicians deployed trench panels and ground pads to stabilize the area in and around the pit. We then had to use a rope system to get the man out of the grave and turn him over to EMS. It took time to make sure everything worked out,” Stiff said.