HOWELL — A police officer is being credited with saving the life of an 82-year-old man whose leg was severed after being hit by a garbage truck on Thursday.

Howell Police said the man, whose identity was not disclosed by police, walked in back of the garbage truck as it was backing up at the Cherry Tree Plaza on Route 9 around 11 a.m.

Cpl. Matthew Bishop put a tourniquet from his go-bag on the man's leg to stop him from bleeding out when he first arrived, while EMT Ryan Gerrity applied a tourniquet to the victims arm.

The man was taken to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune where he was in extremely serious condition.

Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick said Bishop said he was "just doing my job" when thanked for his quick action.

Police did not say why the man was hit as their investigation is continuing.

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