NETCONG BOROUGH, NJ (Morris County) — A man was rescued from icy waters in Netcong Borough on Friday afternoon.
On Feb. 28, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the Netcong Fire Department was called to DiRenzo Park for a reported ice rescue after a male had fallen through the ice.
Upon arrival, Chief Bock confirmed that the victim had fallen into the icy water. Donning his ice rescue gear, Chief Bock crawled out onto the thin ice, despite falling through twice, and reached the victim with a rope. After confirming that the victim had not sustained any injuries, Chief Bock advised him to grab onto the rescue rope. Meanwhile, officers from the Netcong and Stanhope Police Departments pulled the victim from shore while Chief Bock assisted in getting him back onto the ice.
As the brittle ice gave way once more beneath them, Chief Bock remained with the victim, keeping him afloat. Engine 1’s crew arrived shortly afterward, dressed and ready with slings and ropes. Captain Jozowski and Firefighter Pardo crawled to the victim’s location, while Engineer Kunkel manned the rescue tether. Once the rescue sling was secured around the victim, Captain Jozowski and the victim were pulled to safety, followed by Chief Bock and Firefighter Pardo.
Stanhope-Netcong EMS arrived on scene and immediately evaluated the victim, who was not reported to have sustained any serious injuries.
“Today’s rescue was executed seamlessly by all involved,” a post on the Netcong Fire Department’s Facebook page read. “Members have been conducting ice rescue training throughout the season, with our most recent advanced class held last Sunday. THIS is why we train — to ensure we are more than ready to provide an efficient and successful outcome.”
The Netcong Fire Department extends its gratitude to the Netcong and Stanhope Police Departments, as well as Stanhope-Netcong EMS, for their crucial assistance during the rescue.
Additionally, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit (ESU) and the Parsippany R&R Dive Team were initially called as a precaution but were ultimately canceled while en route.
