Point Beach Workers Save 3 Trapped in Inlet Rocks Thurs. Night
Police, fire and first aid work together to save a woman, a man and a boy
Point Beach police, fire and first aid responders worked in the cold, rising tide of the Manasquan Inlet waters Thursday night to save a woman and a boy who had tried to save her himself.
Maureen Bush, 29, Manchester, fell between sharp, craggy rocks into the inlet water, and Daniel Reinhardt, 16, who had tried to save her, are both OK after being rescued by the emergency responders, said Police Detective Clint Daniel.
"The 16-year-old boy was fantastic and should be commended," Daniel said at police headquarters Thursday night. "He tried to get her out, but it was just too slippery. Everyone worked together and did a great job."
Daniel said the incident should be a wake-up call to everyone to never go on the inlet rocks, which are slippery and treacherous.
Bush was being treated at Ocean Medical Center, Brick, for scrapes, bruises and a possible head injury she may have suffered when she fell between the rocks and into the water, where she was knocked about by the rough, rising tide, Daniel said.
Bush was talking to emergency responders and then to hospital staff and seemed to be OK, other than having her head checked, Daniel said.
Police got a 911 call, likely from the boy's 19-year-old brother, Matthew Reinhardt, at 6:43 p.m., reporting that someone was in distress in the inlet rocks, Daniel said.
Bush had been fishing with two men when she fell between the rocks into the water, was stuck and couldn't get out by herself, according to what she told police later.
Her friend, Francisco Rodriguez, 29, Manchester, went in to get her, but couldn't save her and then couldn't climb out himself.
Then Reinhardt, of Old Bridge, heard them screaming and went in to try to help them and also couldn't get out, Daniel said.
"We rescued three people out there," Daniel said.
When police arrived at the scene, they set up lights and found they had three people stuck at different levels in the rocks, with the woman the furthest down, stuck in the water as the tide was rising around her.
Police were able to reach Reinhardt and Rodriguez and help them climb out.
Officer Kyle Grace managed to crawl further down into the rocks where the woman was stuck and got her into a rescue basket connected to a rope held on the other end by Point Beach firefighters, Daniel said.
Officers Kyle Boturla, Brian Spader and Daniel were above Grace and the woman and were able to form a human chain, passing the woman in the basket from one to the other until she was safely on the jetty surface, Daniel said.
Getting into the right positions in the rocks, getting the woman in the basket and then out of the rocks was a tough process, Daniel said.
Fire department volunteers, including Deputy Fire Chief John Pasola, A.J. Fox and Ira Waldman, aided in pulling the woman up and the overall rescue operation.
Andy Meaney and other volunteers from the Point Pleasant First Aid and Emergency Squad assisted with the rescue and treated Bush, Rodriguez and Reinhardt. The squad also transported Bush to the hospital.
Emergency responders cleared the scene at 7:51 p.m.
Bush's other friend had not been in the rocks and was fine.
Daniel said he hopes news of the incident is a stark warning.
"No one should ever go out on the rocks, no matter what," Daniel said.
"People don't realize that when the tide is low, it's easy to climb out there," Daniel said. "But as soon as the tide comes in and the tops of the rocks get wet, it gets very slippery.
"And under the rocks, there are pockets where it's easy to get stuck," he said. There's green algae that, as soon as it gets wet, it gets very slippery."
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Gregory kosovichgreg
12:55 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
I was the one to call 911. Not his brother. I'm just glad everyone is ok.
Tarkus
12:25 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
Good for you,now take a bow.
Bill
7:01 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
There were multiple 911 calls received and rescue teams did an excellent job extricating these individuals from the jetty. Well done to all involved
dorothyr
8:12 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
glad it worked out OK but article said she went to have her head checked - well maybe she shoudl since she went out on the hazardous rocks
Kathy Politowski
8:39 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Kudos to our PPB police, firemen and volunteers who assisted in this successful rescue. This is another example in how they put their lives in danger helping others. Thank you!
Old Guy
9:45 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
God bless all who serve. I was in the area when it all started. By the time I reached the top of Broadway, I realized that I would be in the way, if I went any further. The volunteers and Police were all over and the coast guard had lights on the scene. I thought that the heavy heave of the waves, caused by the shoaling on the south jetty from the last storm, had taken a boat up on the rocks as it came in after dark. My wife was right.... again. I wanted to know what happened but she suggested that it all would be in the patch in the morning. Good job, Denise !
Denise Di Stephan
10:42 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Thank you!
Gregory kosovichgreg
10:54 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Multiple 911 calls? I saw and herd the whole thing. There were about 3 people down that end of the jetty. Everyone else scatterd on and around fishing not having a clue someone was trapped. Thank god emergency, police and fire came to help! Those poor people were at great risk! Stay off the jagged, slippery jetty rocks!!
Tarkus
12:26 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
You're a hero!
Carlutio
6:50 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
See, it was a stupid idea to go out there at that time, under those conditions, regardless of how well this rescue turned out. I practice a discipline of movement on the ends of those rocks, and my crew and I know damn well when we're able to go out there. Hell, we were training on the beach the very night it happened.
1. Wind
2. Oceanic Spray
3. High Tide
4. Pre-Strorm Swell
5. Night
All of the above save for high tide and nighttime are reasons that, even alone, make my crew stay off those rocks. All of the above conditions were active at the time. However, that's not to say these jetties are totally impassible. The people who really don't know what they're doing honestly shouldn't be using a body they're really not fully in-tune with (as far as precise movement) to climb through such a hazardous area in the first place, let alone going out in the conditions present on that night. However, people who know what they're doing should have next to no issue on the rocks given proper conditions are present.
They did do one thing right (besides the great rescue) - they went out with a BUDDY. Even ONE other person can save your life in situations like this. If you go down and get knocked out, and nobody sees you, you're as good as dead. Even that one person can make a whole lifetime of difference, so, please - don't climb the jetty alone, people. It's unhealthy.
Kudos to the rescuers. Next time, you may want to rethink when you hit the jetties.
john krauss
3:01 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Very good advice even expenced fishierman should use the buddy system or not put your self in danger stay back the fish may be in close and if nor safty is first !
maureen bush
11:20 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
Honestly I don't even know what to say. I am Soooo thankful for those that were there and helped me. I'm very glad to see u guys comment so I could say thank u from the bottom of my heart. I'm sorry I didn't get to last nite. Id def be dead if the people that were there weren't. There's no way to really express my gratitude~I will forever be thankful. <3
maureen bush
1:49 am on Saturday, October 20, 2012
kinda curious why my friend joe isn't mentioned more here he had like the biggest part of keeping me alive
Will
10:24 am on Saturday, October 20, 2012
We hear the sirens constantly here in the Pt; knowing that the response will be fast and efficient, hoping another life will be saved. Sometimes, being in the area of the emergency, watching the proficiency of the amazing professional responders. I am hoping the coming year doesn't bring about troubled times, but if it does, I am comforted that this town will care and help us get through it. Seriously, Thanks.
Josrph lamberti
2:58 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
Sorry for the confusion here I just wanted to state that I did everything in my power to help also did what I would expect Anyone else including friends to do for me ... I have known Maureen for many many years are children play together and we had went to school together I felt putting my life on the line to save another's was the right thing to do... Not to be modest but I did what I felt was right I acted out of instinct an adrenaline and I'm happy that all and everybody is well... I want to personally think call emergency personnel that was there to assist in this rescue. I was only able to do so much myself if there were not the other people involved this could have taken to lives not want.
Fred
6:52 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
Oh Brother. Why don't you write a book now. Could turn out to be another blockbuster like Jaws.
Josrph lamberti
3:28 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
I want to personally thank all emergency personal that was there to assist if they were not there.mostly frank and Dan and it could have taken 2 lives. she was standing next to the rocks. was swept away by an undertow and the waves. when to big swells had taken her and tossed her violently into the rocks. I then entered the water and tried to grab for. Her once she had slept from my grip and fell further into the rocks. I've then reposition myself in the rocks and went deeper and was able to secure her and I with a sweatshirt Tied to the both of us. Dan had laid across the back of my legs to keep me secure and Frank had held me by my ankles making sure I did not fall deeper into the rocks. we were in the water total of 30 to 40 minutes. Just happy and more than grateful I'm able to tell my story Thank you everybody that was involved it was a life experience.....
Greg
4:02 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
Your from old bridge ?
Jodilynne Lamberti
4:16 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
Im so proud of my brother all i can give is my respect and thank the lord that u came home safe and alive as well as frank and maureen god bless u all ........
Greg
4:21 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
In the report it says Reinhardt is from old bridge. Is that true? Not that it matters I'm just curious.
Josrph lamberti
5:57 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
Hey dan remember what I said contact me on Facebook or email me I owe you a night out .... lol
maureen bush
6:04 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
I'm doing ok...still at the hospital not sure how long I'll be here. Lots of issues to deal with but I'm alive thankfully :) thanks for everything I can't ever show enough appreciation. How r u??
C
7:27 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
I don't know you but have to tell you how happy I am to hear you're ok Maureen. Everyone who helped you were true heroes. Thank goodness there are still great people out there willing to help unconditionally. Hope you get to meet & thank everyone who helped. They truly are exceptional.
maureen bush
7:22 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
Thanks jodi <3 it was crazy...I am so glad we were all able to come out of it together...joe it sure was an experience uhhh I will never forget wtf. Lol I love all u with all my <3
rich
9:12 pm on Sunday, October 21, 2012
how embarrassing. people arguing over who gets credit. people crying their names were mentioned. what a joke. hope everyone's okay. heroes? true heroes don't want credit they do it and our humble about it.
STEVEN DOMINICK
9:39 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Thats Right, Lets thank the HEROES ONLY, Then did the job , God Bless them all, Thank You.
Dan reinhardt
9:09 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Whats your email joe. I dont have a facebook anymore