Gloucester Township, New Jersey — Firefighters responded to rescue a woman and her two dogs who were submerged in a partially frozen creek in New Jersey.
The dramatic moments were captured on police body camera footage.
“I’m glad they’re here and they’re ready to go. It’s their job and they’ve done a great job,” said Chief Mike Millisky of the Chews Landing Fire Department.
New Jersey police said it happened at the Timber Creek Dog Park, located in Blackwood.
The call for help came in around 1:45 p.m. Sunday.
The woman, who was struggling to stay afloat, was spotted by a passerby.
“Unfortunately, she had been in the water for some time before we reached her,” Chief Millisky said. “The dogs got on the ice and she left afterwards to help the dogs.”
It’s a situation Chief Millisky says most members of the Chews Landing Fire Department have never experienced.
“The teams did a drill that morning with all the ice rescue equipment and were preparing for another drill to come, so it was really fresh on their minds,” he said. “We train every year, but ice rescues, I think that’s probably a first for a lot of us.”
Firefighters and emergency services from neighboring communities responded to the scene.
If it was a collective rescue with more than 40 rescuers, it was two firefighters who were mobilized.
Medical treatment was initiated on scene and the person was transported to an area hospital.
Authorities informed our sister station WPVI that the woman was stable and continuing to recover.
The dogs are both doing well too.
The Gloucester Township Police Department reminds everyone to use extreme caution near frozen bodies of water as temperature changes can create unpredictable and dangerous icy conditions.
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