Home / Disasters and Accidents / Helicopter Plucks Trio from Icy Jamaica Bay Waters
Helicopter Plucks Trio from Icy Jamaica Bay Waters
7 Feb
Summary
- Three young men rescued by helicopter after falling through ice.
- Rescue occurred Friday afternoon in Jamaica Bay, Far Rockaway.
- First responders also experienced difficulties during the rescue operation.
Three 22-year-old men were rescued from the frigid waters of Jamaica Bay on Friday afternoon after falling through the ice. The dramatic incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. near Norton Drive in Far Rockaway, Queens. Witnesses reported seeing the young men walking on the frozen bay before they fell through the ice and became submerged.
An NYPD helicopter, followed by FDNY responders, arrived to conduct the rescue. The operation was fraught with peril, as one FDNY member and an NYPD scuba diver also fell into the water while attempting to reach the victims. Video captured the methodical rescue efforts as the victims were pulled from the icy depths.
One of the rescued men had been in the water for nearly 40 minutes, raising concerns about hypothermia. All three victims were conscious and alert when brought to safety. Two were transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital and one to St. John's Episcopal Hospital. Neighbors noted that the men had been venturing onto the ice for fun in the past week, despite warnings.
