JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – Two distressed people were rescued from Lake Hopatcong Saturday in Jefferson Township, according to Jefferson Township Police Captain Robert Bush.
On July 2, Jefferson Twp. Police Dept. Officers Matthew Johnson, Mark Williams and Sgt. Justin Gjelsvik responded to the NJ State Police Marine Barracks, located at 341 Espanong Road, for a report of boaters in distress, Bush said.
Upon making contact with the distressed boaters, a further investigation revealed that three adult people were aboard a pontoon boat on Lake Hopatcong in the area of Great Cove, Bush said.
The first occupant of the boat jumped into the lake and quickly went into distress while in the water. The second occupant of the boat then jumped to assist, became fatigued while helping and also went into distress, Bush said.
The third occupant jumped into the lake with an inflatable device to assist the first two and all three people were able to use the inflatable device to stay afloat, Bush said.
Several occupants from another boat observed what was happening and jumped into the lake and pulled the distressed swimmers safely from the water, Bush said.
The distressed boaters were then transported to the NJ State Police Marine Barracks, where they were given medical assistance, Bush said.
