FDNY Hero Battles Strong Currents to Save a Person in East River [WATCH]

A New York City Fire Department marine rescue crew pulled a person from the East River late Wednesday night after powerful currents pinned them against the base of the Roosevelt Island Bridge, as reported by The New York Post.

The FDNY said Marine 6 responded at approximately 10 p.m. to reports of a person stranded in the river. When they arrived, the crew found the individual clinging to a pipe conduit at the foot of the bridge, “barely above” the water’s surface.

Video of the rescue shows a firefighter jumping into the fast-moving, debris-filled water to reach the person. The FDNY said the swimmer battled strong currents, broken pilings, and other hazards before reaching the stranded individual.

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

Once there, the firefighter positioned the person between himself and a rescue torpedo.

According to officials, the current then swept both the firefighter and the rescued individual beneath the bow of the fire boat. Crew members maneuvered the vessel to free them and then pulled both aboard.

The person was treated for hypothermia on the boat before being transferred to emergency medical personnel.

“The current was coming in from behind the boat. We had to get as close as possible so the [FDNY] swimmer could get close enough so he wouldn’t get swept away. We also had to make sure we wouldn’t endanger the patient. Overall, it was a huge team effort to recover the patient and transfer them to EMS,” Marine 6 Captain Sean Regan said.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Officials have not released information on how the individual ended up in the river. The FDNY did not provide an update on the person’s condition by press time.

Responding to a report of a person in the water around 10 p.m. Wednesday night, #FDNY Marine 6 rescued a person who was pinned against the pilings and hanging onto a pipe conduit, barely above the surface on the south side of the Roosevelt Island Bridge.

Battling a powerful… pic.twitter.com/vQYmAVWYJY

— FDNY (@FDNY) August 14, 2025

While the water rescue unfolded, FDNY crews in the Bronx were responding to a separate emergency — a fire in an apartment building.

Fire officials said the blaze was brought under control, but two firefighters were injured in the incident. Authorities took into custody a 42-year-old man described as emotionally disturbed, who had previously been evicted from the building.

The FDNY continues to investigate both incidents.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.