Rescuers Who Pulled Teen From Manchester Lake Honored

MANCHESTER, NJ — Five people and the Whiting Fire Company were honored for helping ot save the life of a teenager who was unconscious at a remote lake in the township in 2025.

Joseph Griscavage Jr., Noah DeSimone, Dylan Verge, Sydney Reilly, Makenzie Vulgaris, and the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company were recognized with the Manchester Township Police Department Civilian Service Award, Chief Antonio Ellis said.

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The incident happened on July 30, 2025 at Hidden Lake in Whiting, police said, where a 16-year-old boy was reported to be unconscious in the water.

The lake's remote location and difficult terrain made reaching the teen especially challenging, police said.

During the response, Griscavage arrived in his Jeep and immediately offered to help. Knowing the area, Griscavage guided officers along the trail to the boy and helped get him out of the water and out of the remote area, authorities said.

"When police vehicles became stuck on the trail, Joseph used his own vehicle to help free them," the police department said.

The other four people — DeSimone, Verge, Reilly, and Vulgaris — "also played important roles, from assisting the juvenile and communicating with police dispatch to guiding responding officers," police said.

Members of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company and Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services worked with the police and the five individuals to evaluate and stabilize the boy, provide medical care and coordinate the rescue, police said.

"Thanks to everyone's combined efforts, the juvenile was successfully rescued and ultimately made a full recovery, suffering only a minor concussion," police said.

The Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services received the Chief's Recognition Award for its members' efforts as township emergency services personnel.

"This incident is a true example of what community is all about," the police department said. "When residents, volunteers, and first responders come together, work as a team, and step up to help someone in need, extraordinary things can happen!"

See all the photos from the presentation posted by the Manchester Township Police Department.