Man Rescued From Car Trapped In Cooper River: Collingswood Police

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ — Collingswood police rescued a man from drowning after his car became submerged in Cooper River over the weekend, police said.

Four Collingswood police officers responded to a report of a car that had become partially submerged in Cooper River and was rapidly sinking at Route 130 North early Saturday morning, police said.

Through the driver’s side window, they saw a man who was frantically trying to escape through a partially open window, police said.

The officers quickly grabbed a rope, a personal flotation vest and an expandable baton from a patrol car, and immediately jumped into the river to try to rescue him, police said.

Sgt. Ken Jacoby was the first to reach the car, which was almost completely under water, police said. The driver’s side window was completely closed, and a combination of airbag deployment and muddy water prevented Jacoby from seeing inside the car, police said.

Jacoby broke the driver’s side window with his baton, but couldn’t find anyone inside, police said.
Sgt. Brian DiCugno then reached the car, and the two officers broke the driver’s side rear window, police said. However, they still couldn’t find anyone inside. They repeated the same process with the rear hatch window, but still couldn’t find anyone, police said.

Officer Eric Roseboro then reached the car and tried the driver’s side window a second time. This time, he was able to find the driver, and began pulling him out, police said. The three officers pulled the man’s head above water, and learned he was the only person in the car. He took in a deep breath, confirming he was still alive, police said.

The man was stuck on something inside the car, but they were still able to rescue him, police said. Once he was out of the car, the officers put him in the flotation device and awaited more help.
He didn’t suffer any serious injuries, police said.

A short time later, the Collingswood Fire Department and water rescue specialists arrived and swam the man and all the officers to shore. They then helped retrieve the submerged car.

Jacoby and DiCugno were treated by Pennsauken EMS and later by Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for lacerations sustained from breaking through the windows. They didn’t suffer life-threatening injuries, police said.

“If it were not for the quick, heroic and lifesaving actions of the Collingswood Police Officers, Sergeant Jacoby, Sergeant DiCugno, Officer Roseboro and Officer (Nick) Bruns, the outcome of this incident would have surely been gravely different,” Collingswood police said in a statement. “This is yet another example of the proud selfless service we provide the community day in and day out.”