SECAUCUS – Secaucus used to be known for its pig farms, but after the Turnpike extended to the town, they began to disappear. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t other pig-related industry going on around here.
On June 17, the Secaucus Fire Department responded to a report of a man stuck in a container at 8:48 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered the victim, Daniel Leblanc, 56, buried up to his shoulders in pig swill and trapped inside the trailer of a dump truck.
Pig swill is discarded bakery waste that is used to feed pigs.
Leblanc, from Montreal, Canada, was inside the trailer supervising the loading of the swill to bring back to Canada, when he lost his footing and became partially buried.
Firefighters were able to remove Mr. Leblanc using harnesses and a backboard within 50 minutes.
Meadowlands Hospital and Jersey City Medical Center EMS evaluated the victim at the scene but he refused any further medical attention.
Since Mr. Leblanc only spoke French, the firefighters were fortunate to have David Hayashida from the Plaza Firehouse on scene, who spoke French fluently and translated for emergency personnel.
Ladder 1, Rescue 1, Engines 1, 2, and 3 responded to the incident, along with the Secaucus Police Department. Battalion Chief Carl Leppin was assigned rescue operations, while COD Bryan Schoch was incident command.
Once rescued, Mr. Leblanc was able to complete his journey back to Canada with his load.
That’s all, folks.
Secaucus Fire Department rescues French Canadian trucker stuck up to his shoulders in ‘pig swill’
