New York Members Aboard Marine 1 Alpha Rescue Kayaker in Hudson River

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Firefighters aboard Marine 1 Alpha performed a daring rescue on July 15, 2011, when a kayaker's boat overturned in the Hudson River and she was trapped against the side of a pier.

"Everyone worked together and did a great job," Lt. Michael Ansbro said.

Lt. Ansbro and Firefighters Robert Hogan, Russell Dietz and Paul Ruckdeshel were called to the area of 145th Street and Riverside Drive at 4:10 p.m.

As they were responding, they said they saw a police helicopter also on its way to the scene.

When they arrived, they saw the victim pushed against steel grating beneath the pier by the strong southern current. The water, which was moving at six or seven knots, also pushed her kayak, another kayaker, who was still in his boat, and the two NYPD divers into the pier. Firefighters from Ladder 28 and Ladder 23 also were on land, trying to drop them a rescue rope.

"It was a very strong current and it was tough for anyone to do anything," Lt. Ansbro said. "The water basically takes you where you wants, you can't swim against it, and you don't know its strength until you're in it."

As Firefighter Ruckdeshel piloted the boat into position, Firefighter Hogan donned a mustang suit – a buoyant wetsuit that they attach to a tether. He quickly swam to the victim and grabbed her as Lt. Ansbro and Firefighter Dietz pulled them to the boat.

They said the police officers also grabbed hold of the line, to free themselves from the pier.

Once they got the victim aboard, an NYPD rescue boat arrived and pulled the second kayaker and the police rescuers aboard.

Firefighters gave her oxygen and a blanket, and piloted the fireboat to West 125th Street, where EMS members met them and transported her to St. Luke's Hospital.

"[The water] pushes you where it wants," Lt. Ansbro said. "She was really lucky, it could have been a lot worse."

Republished with permission of the New York City Fire Department. View original article here.



Author:Emily Rahimi - PIO - FDNY