Crime & Safety
Tree Crushes Teen's Leg During Sandy Cleanup
Green Township resident suffers compound fracture while clearing trees behind Sparta home.
A 19-year-old was seriously injuried Thursday when a tree smashed his leg while he was cutting it, Sparta Police said.
Eric Snyder, of Green Township, was using a chainsaw to clean up a few trees behind a Fieldview Drive home at about 4:40 p.m., when the lower section of one of the trees snapped back and smashed his lower left leg, according to a report supplied by the Sparta Police.
Snyder suffered a serious compound fracture while he was working to clear up some of Tropical Storm Sandy's damage, according to the report.
Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The report said Cpl. Andrew Smentana and Officer Brian Hassloch arrived at the scene first and stabilized Snyder's leg by splinting it with duct tape.
Sparta Township Fire Department members assisted in carrying Snyder to the ambulance, according to the report.
Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Snyder was then transported to the Mohawk Avenue School where he was airlifted to Morristown Medical Center, the report said.
The report said Snyder's condition was not known.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
