Whiting Dive Team Recovers Submerged Vehicle Following Police Rescue

Manchester Township police officers rescued a driver from a sinking vehicle before fire and water-rescue personnel conducted an underwater search and recovered the car from a pond in the Renaissance community.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:52–4:54 a.m. on September 20, 2026, near Halstead and Esplanade drives in Manchester Township, New Jersey. Officers Sean Rembach and Donald Miller arrived to find the vehicle continuing to sink with the driver calling for assistance.

Rembach entered the water and reached the driver while Miller deployed a water-rescue throw bag from shore. The officers brought the driver to shore before the vehicle became completely submerged. Manchester EMS evaluated the driver for a minor injury.

Whiting Fire Company's Water Rescue & Recovery Team and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company responded for the subsequent water-rescue and recovery operation. Whiting Chief 3300 assumed fire incident command, and public-safety divers entered the water in dry suits to search the submerged vehicle and confirm that no additional occupants were inside.

Divers secured the vehicle underwater, and crews used the winch on Whiting Brush Unit 3339 to recover it. Ridgeway firefighters provided shore-based support, while Manchester EMS provided rehabilitation monitoring for dive personnel. Accurate Towing subsequently removed the vehicle.

Police said the driver had been attempting a K-turn when he mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the vehicle to travel over an embankment and into the water.