By W.F. Keough
The Press of Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A New Year’s Eve water rescue off an Atlantic City beach turned violent and dangerous when a distressed man in the ocean resisted rescuers and allegedly attacked a firefighter with a concealed weapon, authorities said.
Firefighters and police officers were called to the jetty near Rhode Island Avenue Beach at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday after reports of a man in trouble in the water.
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Responding units from the Atlantic City Fire Department saw an adult male floating just beyond the jetty. He appeared conscious but was not actively swimming, officials said.
Battalion Chief Kenton T. Brookings established command and coordinated fire and police operations as crews prepared for a cold-water rescue.
Firefighter Dominic Gitto, using a rescue longboard, paddled out to reach the man.
During the rescue attempt, the man resisted contact and allegedly tried to stab Gitto with a screwdriver, authorities said. Gitto was able to deflect the weapon and continue rescue efforts despite what officials described as aggressive and erratic behavior consistent with a “psychiatric episode.”
Additional fire units, including Rescue 1 and Marine 1, arrived with a waverunner, rescue sled and more personnel. Crews made several attempts to secure the man onto the sled, but those efforts were hampered by continued resistance in the water, authorities said.
Firefighters ultimately formed a chain and pulled the man into shallow water. He again became combative, prompting Gitto to warn other responders that the man had been armed with a screwdriver.
Atlantic City police officers then entered the water to assist fire personnel, gained control of the man and took him into custody, authorities said. Officers who entered the water included Justin Peyton, Scott M. Sendrick, Nickolas Cardani, Sgt. Annese K. Parks, Sgt. Valmir Loga and Jerae Langford.
The man was transported by emergency medical services for treatment and later admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit for evaluation.
During the rescue, Gitto’s dry suit began taking on water, exposing him to frigid ocean temperatures. After exiting the water, he showed signs of acute hypothermia. Fire Department personnel provided immediate medical care as Deputy Chief James Gillespie III alerted dispatch to notify the Atlantic City Medical Center’s emergency department to prepare for a firefighter suffering from hypothermia.
Gitto was taken to the hospital, where he was treated and released later that afternoon, officials said.
“This was an extremely dangerous and unpredictable rescue,” Fire Chief Scott Evans said. He praised Gitto, who joined the department only a few months ago, for showing “courage, professionalism and personal sacrifice,” and said the incident highlighted the importance of training and teamwork during hazardous rescues.
Police identified the rescued swimmer as Christopher Treadway, 31, of Mays Landing, New Jersey. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, resisting arrest, and obstruction.
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