Man Rescued By Police After Car Plunges Into Jersey Shore Pond

Photo Credit: Manchester Police

Man Rescued By Police After Car Plunges Into Jersey Shore Pond

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township Police officers rescued an 86-year-old man after his vehicle accidentally ended up in a pond early Sunday morning, authorities said.

Officers Sean Rembach and Donald Miller responded to the area of Halstead Drive and Esplanade Drive near the golf course at Renaissance shortly before 5 a.m. after hearing someone calling for help, according to Lt. Chris Cerullo.

Police found George Migner, 86, of Manchester, inside his vehicle as it continued to sink into the pond, Cerullo said.

Rembach entered the pond and swam out to Migner to assist him, while Miller used a water-rescue throw bag to help lead Migner out of the vehicle and safely back to shore, Cerullo said.

The black 2024 Nissan Altima was eventually completely underwater. The Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company and the Whiting Fire Water Rescue and Recovery Team were also called to the scene to assist, according to Cerullo.

Migner told officers he was attempting to make a K-turn when he mistakenly hit the accelerator instead of the brake while reversing, causing the vehicle to go over the embankment and into the pond, Cerullo said.

Manchester EMS evaluated Migner at the scene and treated him for minor injuries.

Whiting Volunteer Fire Company officials said water rescue divers searched the submerged vehicle and confirmed that no one else was inside. The divers also determined that all four wheels of the car were resting on the bottom of the water hazard.

The vehicle was then secured by the divers and pulled from the water using the winch on the fire company's Brush Unit 3339, officials said.

Ridgeway Fire Company crews assisted from the shore during the rescue operation, while Manchester EMS monitored and provided rehabilitation support for the divers, Whiting fire officials said.

Accurate Towing was also called to the scene to remove the vehicle.

Whiting fire officials praised everyone involved in the response, particularly the Manchester police officers who began the rescue and were able to get Migner out before the vehicle became fully submerged.

TheManchester Township Police Department also thanked the responding officers, Manchester EMS, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company and the Whiting Fire Water Rescue and Recovery Team for their coordinated efforts and assistance during the incident.