Lost Jogger Rescued From Chest-High Mud In Former Lake In Suffolk

SMITHTOWN, NY — A jogger was rescued Thursday after he got stuck in chest-high mud in the former lake at Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown, the Suffolk County Police Department announced.

A 24-year-old Medford man called 911 at 12:10 p.m. to report he was lost in the park and stuck in mud up to his chest in what used to be a lake, police said. The man’s dog wandered onto the mud and as the man was attempting to retrieve the dog, he began to sink.

Fourth Precinct officers, Emergency Service Section officers and Aviation Section officers responded.

Aviation Section officers found the man less than 30 minutes later and hovered over the area until officers on the ground reached him. Fourth Precinct Sergeant Katherine Kuzminski and Fourth Precinct Officer Richard Esposito entered the mud and tried to pull out the man. After several minutes, Esposito successfully pulled him to shore and placed him in his police vehicle to warm him up to avoid hypothermia.

The jogger was treated at the scene by members of the Nissequogue and Town of Smithtown fire departments.