Due to quick response, a 74-year-old groundskeeper at the Meadows at Middlesex golf course on Hunters Glen Drive escaped serious injury on August 23, when his lawnmower overturned and trapped him in the pond on the golf course.
Donald J. Kelber, 74, of North Brunswick, was cutting grass on the edge of a small pond on the golf course when his 2,200-pound Toro Ground Master 3500D mower slid down an embankment, overturned, and almost completely submerged him in the water.
Plainsboro police, fire, and emergency workers were assisted by golf course maintenance workers in freeing Kelber, which took 20 minutes, police said. A golf course backhoe and chain were used to lift the mower while rescue workers removed Kelber and provided first aid.
A state police helicopter was initially requested but later canceled after Kelber was evaluated by township EMS workers and Middlesex County paramedics.
Kelber never lost consciousness, but suffered a laceration to his right calf and a broken finger. Plainsboro EMS transported him to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. Middlesex County Hazmat responded to clean up oil and fuel that spilled from the mower into the pond.
