Video: NY Firefighter, Police Officer Rescue Man Who Drove Off Dock

June 16, 2023
Patchogue firefighter Peter Feehan and Suffolk County Police Officer Edward Pitre jumped into Patchogue Bay on Long Island to rescue a driver whose car plunged into the water.

A New York firefighter and a police officer rescued a driver whose car plunged off a dock and into a bay Thursday.

The incident happened at about 5 a.m. when a 33-year-old man drove into Patchogue Bay in Patchogue on Long Island, WCBS-TV reports

Luckily for the driver, a News 12 Long Island news crew happened to be on the dock at the same time.

The News reporter quickly called 9-1-1 and the camera crew caught the accident and rescue on camera.

Patchogue firefighter Peter Feehan and Suffolk County Police Officer Edward Pitre reached the scene in minutes as the man was panicking and pounding on the car's windows. 

"I knew I had precious seconds. I didn't really have too much time to think, but I decided to get into the water," said Pitre. 

Once in the water, Pitre tried breaking a window but was unsuccessful. Feehan then took a Halligan tool from an arriving fire apparatus, and he used it to shatter the back window, and the two men pulled the driver to safety.

"I don't care to be called a hero. It's just what I chose to do," said Pitre. 

"To me it's a much overused term. I did what I'm trained to do," added Feehan. 

Investigators were trying to determine why the man, who was treated for minor injuries, drove into the water.

"This is a great story of partnership between the firefighter, between one of our officers from Suffolk County Police Department saving a life," said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison. 

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