Firefighters Rush To Rescue Man In Water At Croton Dam Spillway

CROTON, NY — Firefighters were able to save a man who found himself in serious jeopardy at one of the Hudson Valley's most recognizable landmarks.

Shortly before 3 p.m. on Sunday, a Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department Water Rescue Assignment was dispatched to the Croton Dam for a man trapped in the water below the spillway.

The Westchester County Police Department quickly located the man trapped in the water and officers were able to lower a personal flotation device shortly before the arrival of fifirefighters.

The Sunday afternoon crowds at the iconic park complicated the rescue. Once on scene, firefighters had to make their way through heavy car and pedestrian traffic. Rescue crews made contact with the man in the water and began to coordinate a rescue plan, according to fire officials.

Working with the Yorktown Fire Department Water Rescue Team, the responders lowered one of their rescue swimmers to the victim. The rescue swimmer helped put him into a safety harness, and then hauled both up to dry land.

After an evaluation by EMS, the rescued man declined medical attention.

Croton-on-Hudson firefighters were assisted on scene by Yorktown Fire, Croton EMS, Ossining EMS, Westchester County Police and NYC DEP Police.