Nitric Acid Accident in Clifton

Fire officials say a roofing employee fell 40 feet through a roof and into a tank of nitric acid in northern New Jersey, and a co-worker jumped in to help save him.

Clifton Fire Chief Vince Colavitti tells The Record of Woodland Park the men were part of a crew working at Swepco Tube LLC in Clifton when the accident occurred around 8:40 a.m. Monday.

Relatives say 44-year-old Martin Davis suffered a broken rib, punctured lung, and burns on his legs and side. He's hospitalized in critical condition.

Colavitti says 51-year-old Rob Nuckols, who was on the ground floor, immediately jumped into the vat and was waist high in acid while he and three others pulled Davis out. Nuckols was treated for burns on his legs and abdomen.

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