Wildwood Fire Department Responds to Water Rescue Call

WILDWOOD – At about 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26, the Wildwood City Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Spencer Avenue and the beach for a water rescue assignment.  
According to a release, Squad Co. 3, under the command of Firefighter Ryan Troiano, immediately requested Quint Co. 2 from the North Wildwood Fire Department for assistance.  
While en route, radio reports were received from Wildwood police officers stating that a pickup truck was almost completely submerged.  
Visibility was extremely limited due to heavy fog which made the situation more difficult than usual.  The driver of the vehicle, an amusement pier employee, was able to free himself and climbed on the truck’s roof before jumping in the ocean and swimming to shore.  
The driver was treated for possible hypothermia and respiratory distress while being removed from the beach to an ambulance that transported him to Cape Regional Medical Center.  
Due to poor visibility and unfavorable beach conditions, several vehicles became stuck in the sand at the location but were quickly freed with the help of the city’s Public Works Department.   
All fire units cleared the scene at 8:55 p.m.