Video: Troopers Save Man Trapped In Frigid Swamp

ELIZABETH, NJ — A man who was stuck waist deep in frigid water in a marshy area on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike in Elizabeth was rescued by New Jersey State Troopers on St. Patrick's Day.

At around 4:43 a.m., Trooper Victor Rios saw a man standing next to his car on the right shoulder of the Turnpike northbound in the area of milepost 102.3 and stopped to see if he needed help.

The man told Rios that his cousin got stuck in the swamp next to the Turnpike after he tried to walk through the marsh to rescue a friend whose car was stuck on the other side. As a result, the cousin's feet got stuck in the mud and he was unable to move, police report.

Trooper Reinaldo Cruz and Rios tried using a large branch to reach the victim and pull him out, but due to the frigid temperature of the water, the man was too weak to hold onto the limb and lost his grip, police report.

More troopers arrived and tried creating a human chain, however they could not reach the victim.

The victim began to show signs of hypothermia when Trooper Renato Antunese got a floating lifeguard rescue item from his car to pull the man to safety, police report.

Elizabeth Fire Department and EMS evaluated the victim and he was later transported to Trinitas Hospital where he was treated and released.

(Image and video via New Jersey State Police)

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