Princeton EMT Michael Kenwood has died
He died early Sunday after braving Hurricane Irene floods.
Princeton EMT Michael Kenwood, 39, died early Sunday following injuries he sustained in a water rescue early Saturday, police chief Robert Buchanan has confirmed.
Kenwood was one of two members of the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad who tried to get to a flooded car on Rosedale Road in Princeton early Sunday, only to get swept up in the Hurricane Irene flood waters, according to police.
It was later discovered that the car the rescuers were attempting to reach was empty.
Kenwood was admitted the Intensive Care Unit at Princeton Hospital before he died.
Attempts to contact the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad have been unsuccessful, but Kingston Fire Chief Lloyd Mathis and the the South Brunswick first responders all expressed their condolences for the loss of Kenwood and admiration for his heroic actions.
"We were really saddened by his loss, Mike was our IT consultant and he had indelible links to our organization," Mathis said. "But we're so proud of his dedication and sacrifice as an EMT."
Kenwood, a resident of East Windsor, owned Kenwood Technical Consulting in East Windsor.
Kenwood's funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m at the Robert Schoem Menorah Chapel in East Paramus.
Brian Sheppard
10:08 am on Monday, August 29, 2011
LODD, Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad, EMT Michael Kenwood, succumb to injuries he sustained during a swiftwater rescue early Sunday Morning. service information to follow
Joanna Palmigiano
3:35 pm on Monday, August 29, 2011
This is so sad and unnecessary. I am so sorry for his family and their loss. People need to stay off the roads in these cases and take the warnings seriously, unless you are an emergency personnel there is no reason why anyone should be driving.
Robin Boyer
10:37 am on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
My Prayers are with his family and Princeton First Aid Squad during this time of sorrow.
Suncatcher
12:31 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
We need a new law to protect our first responders like EMT Kenwood who put himself, as did his colleagues, in harm's way to rescue an idiot driving in flooded streets. (Turns out the driver had abandoned the flooded car).
Henceforth - such drivers should be charged with paying for all first responder funeral expenses, the college education of any of their children and the living expenses of the deceased family until the children are 18.
The police have the car so they know who owned it. Put that person's name, photo, employer and contact info on the newspaper front page, above the fold. They should do this for ANYONE caught driving when told not to, whether they cause the death of emergency personnel or not. Enough is enough. There are too many stupid and selfish morons out there, especially when the weather is bad. If you can't stop them, then make them pay - literally.