FRANKFORD TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — A person was airlifted to a trauma center Thursday morning after an apparent fall of about 40 feet from the Culver’s Fire Tower at Stokes State Forest in Frankford Township, according to authorities.
According to the Frankford Township Fire Department, crews were dispatched at approximately 8:12 a.m. for a report of a person who had fallen from the tower along the Appalachian Trail.
While en route, firefighters requested air medical assistance, bringing Atlantic Air Ambulance Air 1 to a designated landing zone at Frankford Fire Station 1. The Branchville Hose Company assisted with landing zone operations.
Upon arrival, Frankford firefighters assumed command and worked alongside New Jersey State Police troopers, who were already on scene. A Frankford safety officer, who also serves with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, began providing medical care to the seriously injured person.
Due to the remote terrain, additional support arrived from the Sandyston Township Fire Department, Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, helping to transport emergency medical personnel and equipment up the trail. Paramedics from Atlantic Health and Saint Clare’s Health provided advanced medical care at the scene.
Responders initially considered requesting a New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit helicopter for a hoist rescue, but the plan was canceled after determining ground transport was faster. The patient was carried down a fire road and taken to the landing zone, where they were transferred to Atlantic Air 1 and flown to a trauma center for treatment.
NJDEP spokeswoman Caryn Shinske confirmed that “an individual is believed to have fallen from the Culver’s Fire Tower at Stokes State Forest. The individual was transported from the scene by medevac for medical treatment. The incident is under investigation, and no further information is available at this time.”
All units cleared the scene approximately 90 minutes after dispatch.
The Frankford Township Fire Department thanked the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, Branchville Fire, Sandyston Fire, Stillwater Fire, Atlantic Air 1, Atlantic BLS, Saint Clare’s Health, and the Sussex County Sheriff’s 911 dispatchers for their coordination during the rescue.
