Atlantic City firefighters teamed up with local police to save a man from near-freezing Jersey Shore waters on New Year’s Eve, despite the apparent victim’s efforts to stab one of them with a screwdriver.
The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday when units from the fire and police departments responded to a call of a man in distress off the jetty near Rhode Island Avenue Beach, authorities said in a press release Friday.
Upon arriving to the scene, fire units spotted the man floating in the frigid waters just beyond the jetty. He appeared to be conscious, but “was not actively swimming,” police said.
Wearing a dry suit designed to battle the elements, rookie firefighter Dominic Gitto jumped into the ocean with a longboard and swam out to the man — who then “attempted to stab Gitto with a concealed screwdriver.”
Gitto managed to avoid getting stabbed and continued his rescue efforts, despite the man’s “aggressive and erratic behavior,” police said.
Other rescue workers then entered the water and made multiple attempts to bring the man to shore, but were hindered by his continued resistance. They were eventually able to get him into shallow water by forming a human chain and pulling him toward land.
His combative behavior allegedly continued on the shore, where he was subdued by police and taken into custody.
Gitto, whose dry suit began taking on water during the rescue operation, was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center for treatment of acute hypothermia. He was released later that day.
His attacker, who has since been identified as 31-year-old Christopher Treadway of Mays Landing, was transported for medical treatment and admitted to a psychiatric unit for evaluation. Police said his behavior appeared “consistent with a psychiatric episode.”
Treadway has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, resisting arrest and obstruction.
Gitto, meanwhile, has been hailed a hero.
“This was an extremely dangerous and unpredictable rescue,” said Atlantic City Fire Chief Scott Evans. “Firefighter Gitto was sworn into the department just a few months ago, and his actions demonstrated courage, professionalism and personal sacrifice.”
On social media, the union representing the Atlantic City firefighters wrote that “a life was definitely saved” next to a photo of their dramatic rescue.
