By Katie Kausch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Paterson firefighters rescued a man from the Great Falls just after midnight Sunday morning.
The 32-year-old man was stranded at a rocky island near the base of the falls when authorities located him around 12:30 a.m., officials said. Firefighters used specialty water rescue equipment, including a rescue boat and pulley system, to rescue the man, officials said. The water levels were high following this week’s rainstorms.
“Our Technical Rescue expertise was on display and I’m proud of the professionalism and bravery we demonstrated in this life-saving team effort,” Fire Chief Brian McDermott said in a statement.
Firefighters set up a ladder and rope system to lower a boat into the water so firefighters could find the man. After a medical assessment, the man was placed in a life jacket and harness, and lifted out of the water using a rope pulley system.
The man was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he was in stable condition.
“The men and women of Paterson Fire are a talented and caring group of individuals truly dedicated to the welfare of our residents,” Paterson Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said.