Mom, Kids Pulled From Truck Stuck In Rushing Ramapo River: Police

MAHWAH, NJ — A woman and three children were pulled from a pickup truck stuck in the rushing Ramapo River Friday night behind the Sheraton Mahwah Hotel, police said.

Police went to the scene after receiving 911 calls about the truck and found a woman and three kids — ages 5, 12 and 13 — inside, said Chief James Batelli.

The area "was dark and the current was swift" when Officers Devon Gannon and Gregory Lehman removed their gun belts, tied safety ropes around themselves and passed the children and woman to officers waiting on the shore, Batelli said.

The water was up to the children's knees when police arrived. Officers used their flashlights to help them see in the dark.

The father of two of the children left the vehicle to try and get help. The woman was the mother of the other child, Batelli said.

Police said the man tried to cross the river with the truck, but it became disabled and got stuck in the river.

Police officers Vega, Monico, Zito, Kandis, Brendan Mullin, and Lt. Phillip Tangel assisted Gannon and Lehman.

"The officers did not hesitate to our their own safety at risk when they entered the water under adverse conditions," Batelli said. "It was a team effort and fortunately everyone was safely removed from the vehicle without any injuries."

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