Cranford Heroes Honored For Water Rescue Of Submerged Occupied Car

Cranford, NJ -- Without hesitation Cranford Police Officers and emergency responders dove into the Rahway River to help rescue an elderly couple whose car was submerged.

Honoring their efforts, representatives from the Cranford Fire Department presented several Police Benevolent Association members with an award from the State Fireman's Mutual Benevolent Association for their actions during the water rescue incident in September 2015.

“Everyone dove in the water, no questions asked,” said Andrew Stratton, Cranford Fire Battalion Chief. “We worked together tremendously.”

The incident involved an 80-year-old woman who accidentally drove into the Rahway River with her 89-year-old husband inside.

“There was 18 inches of mud in the river and the doors were pinched shut,” Stratton said. “We had seconds to get the occupants out of the river. This just typifies what makes Cranford a great town to live in. The police, fire, EMS, every person stepped up to the call with no hesitation.”

Sadly the wife did not make it out but the husband did in the rescue.

“The FMBA has tremendous respect for our brothers across the street in the PBA,” Stratton said. “The valor they displayed that day makes it an honor to work with them.”

(Photo, Cranford PBA Local #52: Pictured left - Andy Stratton (CFD), PBA members Bill Pietrucha, Joe Stulpin, Ed Davenport, Dan Norton and Scott Miller (CFD).)