Two Dead And Five Injured In Less Than 36 Hours In Two Separate Middlesex County Explosions
Friday, May 3, 2024, 6:30 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ.- A 73-year-old South River, New Jersey woman, and a 62-year-old South River, New Jersey man were tragically killed in two separate explosions in less than 36 hours in two Middlesex County communities, that also left another five individuals suffering from severe injuries.
According to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at around 11:45 a.m., members of the Old Bridge Township Police Department and Old Bridge Township Fire and Rescue Personnel responded to Superior Signal Company, following receiving a report of a major explosion. Upon arrival, First Responders located Eileen Marco, 73, of South River, who had succumbed to injuries sustained in the explosion. Ms. Marco was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities located an additional four individuals who sustained serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
While the investigation remains ongoing, the preliminary investigation by State, County, and Local Authorities have determined that the explosion was not suspicious in nature, and no criminal intent was detected.
On Thursday, May 2, 2024, just shortly after 7:00 p.m., members of the South River Police Department and South River Fire and Rescue Personnel responded to a residence located on Continental Court in South River after receiving a report of an explosion. Upon arrival, First Responders located two men who had both sustained serious injuries from the explosion. One of the men was immediately transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment. The other man, Kevin Gilbert, 62, of South River, New Jersey was found unresponsive from fatal injuries. Mr. Gilbert was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigations into both explosions remain active and ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Matthew Colonna of the Middlesex County Prosector’s Office at (732) 745-3354. Or you can contact Detective Keith Weiss of the Old Bridge Township Police Department at (732) 721-5600. Or Detective Patrick Molina of the South River Police Department at (732) 238-1000.