Man Lost In South River Marsh For Three Days

SOUTH RIVER, NJ — A South River man was apparently stuck in the marshes in that town for three days and was rescued by three people riding past on their jet skis Tuesday afternoon.

The 63-year-old man told police he went out for a walk near his home on Sunday, got lost in the woods and ended up in the marshes. He remained lost there for three days, according to a news article on MyCentralJersey.

It wasn't until Tuesday afternoon, when three people were out on their jet skis in the area that they told police they heard faint cries saying "Help" coming from somewhere in the marsh. South River police, as well as Sayreville police and fire, a Perth Amboy police boat and even a State Police helicopter all responded.

"We were unable to locate the individual, but the riders were confirming they still heard calls for help," Det. Sgt. Peter Roselli told MyCentralJersey. "He was deep back. We couldn't get eyes on him."

It was a Perth Amboy police boat and Sayreville fire rescue boat that finally rescued him.

The man was alert and conscious and taken to a nearby hospital to be evaluated, but otherwise appeared to be in good health. Nobody had reported him missing. South River does have wooded and very marshy parts, especially after the eponymous South River for which the town is named. The South River is a branch of the Raritan River.

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