LEBANON TOWNSHIP — A 24-year-old man who owned his own landscaping business was identified as the victim of an accident involving a wood chipper in Hunterdon County.

Hayden Balboa died from injuries suffered Thursday while operating the machine on Musconetcong River Road in Lebanon Township, according to Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III, who called the incident a "tragic accident."

The Califon resident was the owner-operator of SMY Landscape Service of Califon, according to the company's Facebook page, and offered a variety of services from lawn maintenance and design to downed tree and brush removal. Anthony Malgapo wrote that "friends (myself included) are still in a state of shock."

Friend Chris Kalhuge wrote on Facebook that he considered Balboa a brother. "At such a young age Hayden accomplished more that most could. He was a very smart and genuine guy who has helped me with many things and was always there," Kalhuge wrote.

Connie James Barbato, who posted on Facebook that her sister used Balboa as her landscaper, wrote that Balboa was a "sweet, respectable,hard working guy."

Balboa liked to share pictures of motorcycles and motorcross racing on his social media.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

More from New Jersey 101.5:

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM