Photo's by: Robert F. Newkirk. Video by: Harry B. Scheeler, Jr.
COLD SPRING -- A Connecticut man died after a two-car crash that occurred here at 905 Seashore Road at 1:20 p.m. on Saturday, Jan 31.
According to Lower Township police, officers arrived on scene and found two vehicles had collided at right angles.
Officers were talking with one of the drivers, identified as John McAdam, 83, of Thomaston, Conn. when he suddenly stopped breathing.
Officers Edward Edwards and Brian McEwing forced the passenger side door of the car open and removed the passenger identified as McAdams' 80 year-old wife to access Mr. McAdams while Officer Donald Vanaman administered rescue breathing to Mr. McAdams.
Once. McAdams was removed from the car, officers, along with firefighters, continued CPR until emergency medical services arrived.
McAdams was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center by Lower Township Rescue Squad and Medic 9 where he was pronounced dead.
Mrs. McAdams was airlifted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's Trauma Unit in Atlantic City with head and other injuries.
According to family the. McAdams were en-route to North Carolina and have no family contacts with anyone in Lower Township.
The driver of the second car has been identified as Mildred Chew, 77, of West Cape May, Chew received first aid by Lower officers and was transported to Cape Regional by Lower Rescue with a head injury.
Subsequent investigation revealed that McAdams had failed to yield the right of way to the vehicle driven by Chew and that McAdams had pulled directly out in front of her.
The Seashore Road bridge was closed for three and one half hours by Cape May County Fire Police as police investigated.
Lower Township police were assisted by the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office and members of the County Fatal Accident Team.
Contact Scheeler at: (609) 404-6515 or hscheeler@cmcherald.com
Managing Editor Al Campbell contributed to this report.
Contact Campbell at: 609-886-8600 ext. 28 or al.c@cmcherald.com
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Comments (13)
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Wed, 02/04/2009 - 8:37pm - Posted by: Anonymous
My thanks to all the people who helped try to save my uncle's life and for helping my aunt and the other women involved during this bad accident. I am thankful for all who helped (what they wear does not matter - what does is there willingness to help strangers).
My uncle was the nicest, kindest, caring man that I have ever known. His wife who has the beginning stages of Alzheimers could not have asked for a nicer husband, who was taking her to warmer climates so he would be able to get her out of the house to walk, etc.
He was the kind of person who would have helped anyone who needed it and he never had a bad word to say about anyone. We will probably never know what exactly happened.
Our prayers and thoughts go out to Mildred Chew & family during her recovery.
"Uncle Buddy's niece"
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 8:22pm - Posted by: Anonymous
that true no one is safe the responders are great and some do are even better because they do it for free thank vol fireman
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 9:25am - Posted by: Anonymous
To the TRAVELING STRANGER (an angel??) who was the first responder, who without a helmet, fire suit, or fire truck helped Millie get out of a vehicle that could have rapidly burst into flames.... THANK YOU !!.....
.... To the rest of you who are arguing about proper atire during a rescue.... Grow up..... Life isn't always safe......Those responders are your neighbors who are risking their lives by volenteering to help strangers who need assistance. Each of them (helmet , fire suit or not !!!) has my respect and gratitude......
....I am sorry for the loss that Ms McAdams suffered..... I hope that others in our community assisted her in connecting with her family
....The Old Fisherman (another grandchild)
Sun, 02/01/2009 - 8:56pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Mildred chew is my grandmom and I am very thankful to all of those who responded.....Thank you so much for helping to get her out of the car, she would not have been able to get out on her own.....I know many of you who are on the rescue squad and are firefighters...I can't thank you enough for you response and help......and to the family of the Mcadams We send our thoughts and prayers.......
On behalf of Millie's family Thank you
sincerely , one of many grandchildren
Sun, 02/01/2009 - 7:35pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Here we have it again folks...the peanut gallery of second guessers and 20/20 hindsighters picking apart an image of a fatal automobile accident. I hope you made popcorn...
Sun, 02/01/2009 - 4:03pm - Posted by: Anonymous
my thoughts and prayers are with the McAdams family. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that Mrs. McAdams gets well very soon...
~A Seventeen Year old From Wildwood <3
Sun, 02/01/2009 - 4:01pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Sounds like the whole WCM Fire operation is a liability.
Sun, 02/01/2009 - 3:00pm - Posted by: bknoll
11:16; Many chiefs do that. They will arrive right at the scene, and are merely running the scene. It's not a liability as long as the chief is merely in control, and not performing the extrication/firefighting.
Sun, 02/01/2009 - 2:54pm - Posted by: Anonymous
the writer of this story should really get their facts straight.
Sun, 02/01/2009 - 2:41pm - Posted by: Anonymous
you have to wear a helmet and firepants to overlook an accident? i dont see any flames.
Sun, 02/01/2009 - 2:34pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Why are people looking at the bad? The people responding did a great job. An accident at the base of the West Cape Bridge could have had many more cars. Thank you for the many hours of training to respond so well. I hope the people hurt will be ok
Sun, 02/01/2009 - 12:16pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Why is the West Cape May Chief not wearing all of his personal protective equipment in the picture above. The Townbank Chief is wearing his. Looks like a liability!
Sat, 01/31/2009 - 4:54pm - Posted by: Anonymous
I await with bated breath