Watch NYPD Officers Leap into Frigid River to Save Person Struggling in Water

NYPD's Harbor Unit responded to a call of a person in the East River near Brooklyn Bridge Park, and officers jumped into action—literally—to rescue the individual.
Dec. 3, 2025

What to know

• NYPD Harbor Unit officers rescued a person struggling in the East River near Pier 2 at Brooklyn Bridge Park, deploying a flotation device and then jumping into the water to guide the individual ashore.

• Responders used a ladder as an improvised backboard to move the patient to EMS, who took the person to an ambulance.

• Police said the individual is now in stable condition and highlighted the officers’ quick response in the freezing water.

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Members of NYPD's Harbor Unit dove into the freezing East River over the weekend to save a person struggling in the water.

The rescue happened just after 1 p.m. Nov. 30 when the NYPD received a report about a person who was in the water near Pier 2 at Brooklyn Bridge Park, according to a department social media post, which included body camera footage of the incident. The Harbor Unit was called in, and an officer deployed a lifesaver for the person to grab onto.

While the flotation ring kept the individual afloat, two officers jumped into the cold water, and helped guide the person to land. Once on the rocky shore, a ladder was used as a back board in order to help medics get the person to an ambulance.

"(The officers) didn't hesitate, jumping into the freezing water and rescuing the individual, who is now in stable condition," the department stated. 

About the Author

Joe Vince
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Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.
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