Woman Falls Into Hudson River In Hoboken Trying To Take Photo

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken police completed a risky rescue of a 23-year-old Berkeley Heights woman at 3:23 a.m. Saturday after she stepped over a snowy railing on a waterfront pier and fell into a hole into the river, police said.

Police said that on Saturday, they received a 911 call from a man saying his sister had fallen into the Hudson River near Pier 13 on the north waterfront.

The woman, police said, "was out with friends and her brother when they wanted to get a better view of New York City and take pictures. The female victim climbed over the railing first, and because of the snow on the ground, she did not see the gaps between the pier and the dock. This area of the pier is closed off to the public."

Her brother attempted to rescue her but was unable, and called 911, police said.

Sgt. Robert Roman and Police Officer Michael Straten were waved down by the brother near 12th and Sinatra Drive North. Roman grabbed his water rescue bag from his police vehicle and they both jumped over a railing and onto the pier.

Under the pier was a hole "that dropped more than ten feet deep and into the Hudson River," police said, and the woman was holding on to a piece of metal. She was submerged waist high.

Police deployed a water bag and dropped it down to her. She was able to secure herself with it as more officers arrived. Lt. Michael Costello, now on scene, took command as Emergency Services Unit Sgt. David DiMartino, ESU Police Officer Francis McCourt, ESU Police Officer James Barbro, and Police Officer Jesse Castellano arrived to assist.

It was then that they attempted a risky move.

They deployed a second water rescue bag and a life preserver ring from the ESU Truck.

"It took a collaborative effort with all officers putting their safety at risk to save the victim from drowning," said police. "Sgt. DiMartino and Officer Straten had to reach half their body into the hole, with Officer Barbro, Sgt. Roman, and Officer Castellano holding onto their legs so they would not fall into the river. This enabled them to get a rescue ring around the victim and with further help from Lt. Costello and Officer McCourt, they were ultimately able to pull the victim out. Once the victim was pulled out of the river, she was treated by Hoboken EMS and transported to Hoboken University Medical Center."

Police Chief Ken Ferrante Tweeted:

When asked if the woman would be fined for trespassing, a department official said, "charges are being explored."

The Hudson River's notoriously strong undertow has claimed several lives over the years, and police have saved others. In the last two years, police had to rescue a man whom they said was intoxicated and had jumped in. They also rescued a man who went into the river to get a soccer ball.

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