Woman Pulled From Sinking Van ‘Aggressively Resisted’ Rescue Efforts In Lake Whitney: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — The woman rescued from Lake Whitney after her van went into the water on Thursday morning “aggressively resisted” the rescue efforts of a firefighter, according to police. Emergency crews responded to the area of Waite Street and Coram Street at about 10 a.m. on April 20 on the report of a motor vehicle submerged in Lake Whitney, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Arriving officers observed the lone female occupant seated in the driver’s seat. Smith said the 50-year-old Hamden resident subsequently opened the window to her vehicle, which caused a rapid flow of water to enter. (To sign up for Hamden breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Hamden Firefighter Zack Criscuolo immediately entered the water in an attempt to rescue the victim. Smith said the woman “aggressively resisted his efforts.”

Officer Ronald Glifort and two additional Hamden firefighters promptly entered Lake Whitney to assist in the rescue and their efforts were successful, according to Smith.

The victim was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital for medical treatment.

WTNH News 8 reports that around the same time of the water rescue, there was a fire inside the woman’s apartment, which is nearby where the van ended up.

Officer Mark Atwater of the Hamden Police Department Traffic Division is conducting the investigation, according to Smith.

Photo via the Hamden Fire Department