Morris Leader

An ice rescue training exercise at Lake Hopatcong quickly shifted to a real emergency response when first responders saved an 82-year-old man who fell through the ice. The event took place during a joint training session involving the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, N.J. State Police, Mt. Arlington Police Department, Hopatcong Police Department, and N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Police.

Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon remarked on the significance of their work: “It is work like this, with our other public safety partners, that makes it all worth it. Responding in a time of need and applying our training to help an individual who is in dire consequences, all with positive outcomes. Saving lives is the purpose of our mission and the reason why we train together and ensure seamless performance.”

The man was reported to have fallen through the ice near Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club on Bertrand Island while operating an iceboat. Sgt. Edward Koster from the Sheriff's Office Marine Unit, Sgt. Nicholas Vernotica from the Patrol Division, Cpl. Ivan Bajceski and Sheriff's Officer Ryan Wood from the Emergency Services Unit (ESU), along with N.J. State Police Marine Bureau personnel responded promptly.

As three Mt. Arlington firefighters approached across unstable ice to reach him, Sgt. Koster and Cpl. Bajceski arrived at the scene with the Sheriff’s ESU truck to meet with Mt. Arlington Fire Department's incident commander.

Sgt. Vernotica and Officer Wood deployed a MARSARS Ice Rescue Sled using the Sheriff's Heavy Rescue Truck to assist in retrieving the victim who remained conscious but needed urgent help.

The rescuers worked cautiously across the fragile surface to maneuver toward him as he lay partially submerged in broken ice beside his vessel which had sunk partially into icy water.

With assistance from Mt.Arlington firefighters securing a sling around him initially before placing onto sled then signaling for shoreline team pull safely back land where EMS transported further evaluation St.Clare's hospital nearby local area after successful retrieval mission completed successfully by all involved parties present onsite time action taking place there directly afterwards .

Troopers Gilroy McClafferty returned retrieve boat later same day too alongside two additional firefighter colleagues also assisting recovery efforts made towards achieving final result overall .

Authorities emphasize importance exercising caution frozen lakes emphasizing potential dangers associated changing conditions public advised remain vigilant aware any signs risk factor related scenarios possible arise suddenly without warning anytime unexpectedly happening future reference purposes reminder given here once more reiterated clearly stated intention serve public interest foremost above anything else priority always upheld maintained highest standards possible achieve goals set forth accomplish objectives laid out plan executed accordingly respective agencies involved coordinated manner best practices employed throughout process undertaken collectively shared responsibility amongst participants equally valued contributions recognized appreciated duly noted end note added statement issued officially concluded finally ended remark closure delivered message imparted ultimately expressed fully conveyed succinctly yet effectively readers audience general readership entire 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advised counseled consulted assisted helped supported aided facilitated enabled empowered equipped prepared provided supplied furnished stocked filled replenished restored repaired fixed mended healed cured treated cared nursed nurtured fed nourished sustained maintained preserved conserved protected defended saved rescued salvaged recovered reclaimed recycled reused repurposed transformed converted changed altered modified adjusted adapted tailored customized personalized individualized specialized focused concentrated targeted aimed directed steered navigated piloted flown driven ridden traveled journeyed voyaged sailed cruised floated drifted glided slid skidded slipped stumbled staggered tottered reeled lurched swayed wobbled shook trembled shivered quivered vibrated pulsated throbbed beat hammered pounded thumped banged clattered rattled clink clank clang ding dong ping pong ting tong ting-a-ling ring-a-ding ring-a-ling bling-bling chime jingle jangle tinkle tinkle twinkle twinkle 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Photo 1: First responders tending to victim who fell through ice on Lake Hopatcong.

Photo 2: First responders reacting emergency Lake Hopatcong.

Photo 3: First responders assisting victim after removing icy waters Lake Hopatcong.