Police Save Man Clinging To Hoboken Pier After He Went Into Hudson River To Rescue Dog

HOBOKEN, NJ — Man's best friend needed some help in Hoboken on Sunday. Then, the man who went to help his dog had to be rescued himself, police said.

Around 5:20 p.m. last Sunday, April 28, a dog chased a group of geese into the water at Maxwell Park in uptown Hoboken, a police spokesperson confirmed.

The owner then headed into the water to rescue his pet. While he was able to grab his pet, he got stuck and clung to a wooden pillar at an abandoned pier, said police spokesperson Marci Rubin.

A witness called 911. Hoboken Police, Fire, and EMS headed to the scene.

Upon arrival, Hoboken Police Officer Daniel Barron grabbed a water bag and threw it into the river for the man to hold onto until Hoboken Fire Ladder 1 and Engine 2 arrived with a ladder.

Firefighters coached the man (with dog) up to safety.

Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps members Francis O'Connor, Jenna Giesecke, Chris Murgas, and Wendy Perera treated the man for minor injuries before he left with the dog, Rubin said.

Sgt. Robert Roman, Sgt Adam Colon and Police Officers Barron, Shyenna Vega, Kyle Seper of the Hoboken Police Department and Fire Captains Richard Marsh and Joshua Pineiro and Firefighters Brian Caro, Ralph Eusebio, Matt Florio, Joshua Pineiro, and Chris Sorrentino all participated in the rescue.

Because of the strong current, heading into the Hudson River near Hoboken is dangerous. A man drowned in the river less than a year ago. And a similar incident had occurred the prior July.