Over-The-Road Driver Struck & Killed at NJ Marine Terminal [Bayonne, NJ ~ 21 April 2016]

Posted by admin on Apr 22, 2016 in Bulletins

Yesterday, at Global Terminals Bayonne, a 53 year old Brooklyn, NY man who had exited his vehicle and who was speaking with another commercial vehicle operator while waiting in a long delivery line, was struck and killed by another commercial rig that was in the process of moving up within an adjacent delivery lane. The second driver was hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries.

This accident underscores the recognized hazards that accompany anyone’s pedestrian presence at marine terminals. In general; apart from container loading/unloading events, when within the confines of a marine terminal over-the-road drivers should not be permitted to exit their vehicles at all. When it’s absolutely necessary for an over-the-road driver to assume a pedestrian role, they should be wearing a high visibility vest (or the equivalent) and should stay within designated walkways or established safety zones. Any deviations will invite unforgiving accidents, such as yesterday’s.

In speaking with knowledgeable individuals “on the ground”, Blueoceana Company understands that the two drivers that were struck had been engaged in minor repairs to one of their tractors (a ruptured air supply hose) when they were brought under the rear tandem wheels of an empty chassis being pulled by the third driver’s tractor. We’ve reviewed far too many marine terminal accidents of late, having similar descriptors.

A local news blog (Hudson County View) published the photograph appearing below, which depicts the accident scene’s immediate aftermath. It was ostensibly taken by another commercial vehicle operator waiting in the delivery truck line. Thankfully, it has been PhotoShopped in an effort to spare the reader unnecessary difficulty.

Link to Media Account No. 1:   One trucker dead, another injured after Global Container Terminal crash- officials (042116)

Link to Media Account No. 2:  Fatal accident closes NY-NJ port’s Global terminal (042116)

Link to Media Account No. 3:  Report details cause of fatal April NY-NJ port accident (010317)