Camden Firefighter Who Died After Falling Into Icy River Has Been Identified

CAMDEN, NJ — The Camden firefighter who died Thursday after falling through the ice on the Delaware River has been publicly identified.

Howard Bennett was a veteran firefighter in the Camden Fire Department. He was "a dedicated firefighter who answered the call without hesitation — serving with honor, courage, and selflessness," said CFD Local 788, the department's union.

Bennett, 61, fell into the river while conducting a routine maintenance check on a boat near Wiggins Park Marina. He was in the water for about 30 minutes as fellow firefighters tried to pull him out, officials said.

He was then rushed to Cooper University Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

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"My thoughts are with his family and the Camden Fire Department during this difficult time," Sherrill said.

Mathew Caliente, president of the Professional Fire Fighters Association of New Jersey, called Bennett "a hero" not just to Camden but to the entire state.

"This tragedy is a stark and painful reminder that the dangers of this profession do not only exist within a burning building," Caliente said in a statement. "Our members put their lives on the line every single day."

It's unclear what caused Bennett to fall through the river. The incident is under investigation.