Woman Escapes Special-Needs Home, Jumps Into Creek In Oceanport

OCEANPORT, NJ — A woman got out of a special-needs group home Thursday in Oceanport, and was swimming in Oceanport Creek, said police in that town.

Police said she ignored their commands to get out of the creek, and they had to jump in to pull her to shore.

Oceanport Police officers responded to Gosselin Avenue Thursday afternoon for a report of "an adult female who had eloped from a special-needs group home," said the police department in a press release.

Upon arrival, officers located the woman swimming in the creek behind Gosselin Avenue. Officers repeatedly instructed her to get out of the water; however, she ignored all verbal commands and continued swimming downstream. Two law enforcement officers entered the water to try and get her out to no avail.

She proceeded to swim through the tunnel underneath the bridge at Oceanport Way and continued to swim into the creek.

Officers cut a hole in a fence and police officers again jumped into the creek and swam after her. One officer was eventually able to stop her from swimming and maintained physical control of the woman while keeping her above the water's surface. Oceanport Police posted this photo of the rescue to their Facebook page.

She was brought to shore and brought to Monmouth Medical Center for evaluation.

"I commend our officers for their swift actions during a fluid situation," said Oceanport Police Chief Gary Grimes. "Without hesitation, they entered the water and placed their own safety at risk to assist an individual in distress."