Rescue At Roosevelt Island Subway Pier - Man Jumps Into East River For Swim and Is Sucked Underneath Dock

On Saturday afternoon, Main Street from the subway to Blackwell Turnaround was filled with NYC Emergency Service Vehicles.


Crowds were gathered on the Subway Pier and a Police Boat was cruising the area as well.



I asked what was going on and was told that a Goldwater Hospital patient decided the day was too hot, took off his clothes and jumped into the East River from the Subway Pier for a swim.

The tide was very strong and the man got sucked underneath the Pier.

Fortunately, the man was saved due to the efforts of two Roosevelt Island Public Safety Officers together with the NYPD and FDNY.

Normalcy soon returned to the Subway Pier area.


The 6/27-28 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Report describes the incident as follows:

Water Rescue - PSD, EMS, and NYPD responded for man in the water. Man was pulled out of water and refused to be transported to hospital.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra provides some additional details Saturday's water rescue:

Today was a good day. In addition to watching a couple of well played baseball games by our local Little Leaguers, there was also a well attended Roosevelt Island Reunion at South Point Park.

The excitement didn't end there as we also had a Goldwater Hospital Patient jump off the dock into the East River. Sgt. Raul Hernandez led the rescue effort by the Public Safety Department. Det. John Malone lowered him onto the rocks because they couldn't see the jumper. Apparently, he was trapped under the dock. The officers were able to throw a Life Ring to him and attempted to pull him to safety. He was a bit incapacitated and could not be pulled out, so Officer David Vernet maintained control of the line while Sgt. Ramon Azular held onto Sgt. Hernandez. They maintained control of him until members from the NYPD and FDNY could respond to complete the save. All in all, it was a great job by the Public Safety Officers, who aided the other agencies in the rescue. I had left the island, but received many calls complimenting the job the officers performed. I'm very proud of them for putting themselves in harm's way to rescue the hospital patient.

Excellent job by Roosevelt Island Public Safety officers, NYPD and FDNY and all others who participated in the rescue!