Police, Firefighters, Civilians Rescue 76-Year-Old Man From Water

STONE HARBOR – Officer Anthony Tirelli was on patrol travelling southbound on Ocean Drive over the Great Channel Bridge when he observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the northbound lane near the crest of the bridge Wednesday, March 18 at approximately 7:53 p.m.
The vehicle’s headlamps were off and the car appeared to be unoccupied. Upon further investigation, Officer Tirelli confirmed the vehicle was unoccupied, keys in the ignition, and a wallet was on the center console. Officer Tirelli checked the area on foot but was unable to locate anyone in the area. While checking the water on the north side of the bridge with his flashlight he heard a subject call out to him from the water. Tirelli located a male subject in the water clinging to a wooden structure attached to the bridge in the navigational lane. After radioing for assistance, Officer Tirelli proceeded down two metal ladders attached to the bridge under the grated drawbridge and made his way to the victim. Officer Tirelli made contact with the 76-year-old victim but was unable to remove him from the water. While on the platform, the officer held onto the victim while awaiting the arrival of additional officers.
Officer Daniel Peters arrived on scene and descended down the ladders to the victim’s location. The officers were then assisted by a civilian passerby who had witnessed Officer Peters descending the ladder. The officers and civilian good samaritan were able to remove the victim from the water and secure him onto a wooden platform. Due to the victim’s condition from the water temperature, the officers were unable to return him back up the metal ladders. In this time, a second civilian passerby and an off-duty Stone Harbor Police Officer, Justin Glass arrived on scene and descended down to the victim’s location to provide additional assistance. With the NJSP Marine Police unable to respond, the Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene via wave runner and the victim was brought safely to shore. Once on shore, the victim was evaluated by the Stone Harbor Rescue Squad and transported to the 80th Street Recreational Field where he was flown by an NEP helicopter to the Atlantic City Medical Center for further evaluation.
The incident was assisted by the Middle Township Police Department, Stone Harbor Rescue Squad and Stone Harbor Fire Department.