The City of Hackensack Fire Department responded to a reported vehicle in the Hackensack River near the Court Street Bridge on the night of January 6.

Under the direction of Deputy Chief Derevyanik, the department's 2nd Platoon handled the situation. Bystanders guided first-arriving units in, where they discovered a distressed driver stuck inside the car. With an incoming tide and immediate life hazard, two firefighters were lowered into the river to assist the driver, whose leg was trapped. Crews placed a personal flotation device and safety lines on the driver and moved him to the top of the vehicle. Ladder 1 positioned its aerial to assist with access while Marine 1 was deployed.

After being moved to the rescue boat and transported ashore, the driver was given to HUMC EMS for assessment. The Oradell Fire Department used a boat to provide mutual aid. Bergen County HazMat was on standby while the Hackensack Police Department guarded the area. Following the rescue, workers worked with Five Star Towing to get the car out of the river. Members of Hackensack Fire Fighters IAFF Local 2081 and Hackensack Fire Officers IAFF Local 3172 operated on scene.