Hackensack Firefighters Perform Dramatic Rescue of Man Plunged into River

River Rescue Operation

• 🚒 Hackensack firefighters responded to a dramatic rescue where a driver plunged into the Hackensack River after driving his pickup truck down an embankment.
• ⏱️ With the tide coming in quickly, every second counted in the operation to save the man.

Firefighter Response and Actions

• 💡 The second platoon of the Hackensack Fire Department, located blocks away, immediately jumped into action.
• 🌊 Firefighter Mike Rainville, equipped with a personal flotation device (PFD), headed to the scene.
• 🚗 Upon arrival, the driver was found trapped in the vehicle and struggling to get out of the driver's side window.

Saving the Driver

• 🏊‍♂️ Rainville and firefighter Nicholas Webster entered the water to reach the 79-year-old driver.
• 🤝 They were able to get hands-on with the victim, place him in a PFD, and move him to a safe spot before initiating the full rescue.
• 🚤 The driver was safely brought into a boat, then to a boat ramp, and finally to dry ground where EMS was waiting.

Training and Outcome

• ✅ The firefighters credited their swift water rescue training for the successful save.
• 🏥 The driver was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center to be checked out.
• 👏 The crew was recognized for their readiness and a job well done, highlighting the difference between life and death they can make.