A Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad member who was injured in a Hurricane Irene storm-related rescue attempt has passed away, Township police announced Monday morning.
Michael Kenwood, 39, had been admitted to the hospital in critical condition with undisclosed injuries after attempting a rescue early Saturday morning. He became injured after being swept away by the current while approaching a vehicle stranded in the water.
Kenwood and another swift-water rescue technician responded to a report of a submerged vehicle on Rosedale Road at approximately 4:35 a.m. on Sunday, according to a Township Police press release. After the pair approached the vehicle, tethered together for safety, they decided that conditions were too dangerous to attempt a rescue.
As the rescuers started to pull back, they fell and were swept to a wooded area where they became detached, volunteer squad deputy director Greg Paulson explained to The Princeton Packet. The other rescuer was able to safely pull himself out by a tree. He was hospitalized on Sunday and has since recovered.
Kenwood was dragged down by the current. He was rescued by the squad's backup team downriver and was admitted to the University Medical Center.
Rescuers later discovered that the stranded car was empty. They believe that the passengers fled the vehicle after seeing the water and escaped safely.
Gov. Chris Christie incorrectly stated on Sunday morning that Kenwood had died, but his office corrected the statement later in the day, saying that the governor was given inaccurate information.
Kenwood's death is the only reported casualty for the Princeton area, which experienced flooding, road closures and power outages due to heavy rain and high winds from Hurricane Irene. A flood warning for the area remains in effect until Monday afternoon.
Michael Kenwood, 39, had been admitted to the hospital in critical condition with undisclosed injuries after attempting a rescue early Saturday morning. He became injured after being swept away by the current while approaching a vehicle stranded in the water.
Kenwood and another swift-water rescue technician responded to a report of a submerged vehicle on Rosedale Road at approximately 4:35 a.m. on Sunday, according to a Township Police press release. After the pair approached the vehicle, tethered together for safety, they decided that conditions were too dangerous to attempt a rescue.
As the rescuers started to pull back, they fell and were swept to a wooded area where they became detached, volunteer squad deputy director Greg Paulson explained to The Princeton Packet. The other rescuer was able to safely pull himself out by a tree. He was hospitalized on Sunday and has since recovered.
Kenwood was dragged down by the current. He was rescued by the squad's backup team downriver and was admitted to the University Medical Center.
Rescuers later discovered that the stranded car was empty. They believe that the passengers fled the vehicle after seeing the water and escaped safely.
Gov. Chris Christie incorrectly stated on Sunday morning that Kenwood had died, but his office corrected the statement later in the day, saying that the governor was given inaccurate information.
Kenwood's death is the only reported casualty for the Princeton area, which experienced flooding, road closures and power outages due to heavy rain and high winds from Hurricane Irene. A flood warning for the area remains in effect until Monday afternoon.
A Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad member who was injured in a Hurricane Irene storm-related rescue attempt has passed away, Township police announced Monday morning.
Michael Kenwood, 39, had been admitted to the hospital in critical condition with undisclosed injuries after attempting a rescue early Saturday morning. He became injured after being swept away by the current while approaching a vehicle stranded in the water.
Kenwood and another swift-water rescue technician responded to a report of a submerged vehicle on Rosedale Road at approximately 4:35 a.m. on Sunday, according to a Township Police press release. After the pair approached the vehicle, tethered together for safety, they decided that conditions were too dangerous to attempt a rescue.
As the rescuers started to pull back, they fell and were swept to a wooded area where they became detached, volunteer squad deputy director Greg Paulson explained to The Princeton Packet. The other rescuer was able to safely pull himself out by a tree. He was hospitalized on Sunday and has since recovered.
Kenwood was dragged down by the current. He was rescued by the squad's backup team downriver and was admitted to the University Medical Center.
Rescuers later discovered that the stranded car was empty. They believe that the passengers fled the vehicle after seeing the water and escaped safely.
Gov. Chris Christie incorrectly stated on Sunday morning that Kenwood had died, but his office corrected the statement later in the day, saying that the governor was given inaccurate information.
Kenwood's death is the only reported casualty for the Princeton area, which experienced flooding, road closures and power outages due to heavy rain and high winds from Hurricane Irene. A flood warning for the area remains in effect until Monday afternoon.
Michael Kenwood, 39, had been admitted to the hospital in critical condition with undisclosed injuries after attempting a rescue early Saturday morning. He became injured after being swept away by the current while approaching a vehicle stranded in the water.
Kenwood and another swift-water rescue technician responded to a report of a submerged vehicle on Rosedale Road at approximately 4:35 a.m. on Sunday, according to a Township Police press release. After the pair approached the vehicle, tethered together for safety, they decided that conditions were too dangerous to attempt a rescue.
As the rescuers started to pull back, they fell and were swept to a wooded area where they became detached, volunteer squad deputy director Greg Paulson explained to The Princeton Packet. The other rescuer was able to safely pull himself out by a tree. He was hospitalized on Sunday and has since recovered.
Kenwood was dragged down by the current. He was rescued by the squad's backup team downriver and was admitted to the University Medical Center.
Rescuers later discovered that the stranded car was empty. They believe that the passengers fled the vehicle after seeing the water and escaped safely.
Gov. Chris Christie incorrectly stated on Sunday morning that Kenwood had died, but his office corrected the statement later in the day, saying that the governor was given inaccurate information.
Kenwood's death is the only reported casualty for the Princeton area, which experienced flooding, road closures and power outages due to heavy rain and high winds from Hurricane Irene. A flood warning for the area remains in effect until Monday afternoon.
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