45°
It happened around 2:10 p.m., Monday, Feb. 1, in Stamford in the water off of Cummings Park in Stamford,
First-arriving fire personnel found a 4-door pickup truck partially submerged and floating approximately 40 feet off of the shore of Long Island Sound, said Stamford Fire Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Palmer.
A woman was visible and standing in the rear cargo area of the truck. The woman was shouting that there was a man trapped inside the submerged cab of the truck, Palmer said.
The extreme winds, snow, and tide continued to move the vehicle and cause it to fill with water.
Three firefighters wearing cold water rescue suits immediately entered the water and swam out to the truck's location.
At the same time, one of the fire department's 100' tower ladder trucks positioned as close to the water's edge as possible and deployed the aerial ladder out to the vehicle.
Fire Department scuba divers from Rescue Co. 1 also arrived on the scene and began to set up for a rescue diving operation, Palmer said.
The firefighters in the water were able to calm the woman and assist her into the tower ladder. As weather conditions continued to deteriorate, the vehicle continued to submerge deeper into the frigid waters of Long Island Sound.
Firefighters attempted to extricate the man through a small open rear window. However, his size made it very challenging.
Firefighters in the water continued to work quickly as the vehicle became completely submerged. One firefighter maintained a physical hold on the man's arm and was able to pull him through the small window after the truck was completely underwater, Palmer said.
Once he was free, firefighters placed the man into the tower ladder and both occupants were brought to shore.
Once on shore, the two were transferred into the care of Stamford EMS Paramedics. The man was transported to Stamford Hospital for further treatment. The woman refused medical treatment.
Firefighters and divers remained on the scene and assisted with the securing and removal of the vehicle from the water.
No fire personnel were injured during the incident.
The incident is under investigation by the Stamford Police Department.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Stratford and receive free news updates.
