Patchogue firefighter and SC police officer help save a life

Peter Feehan, a longtime Patchogue Fire Department firefighter, and Edward Pitre, a 5^th Precinct Suffolk County Police Officer rescued a man who was trapped in his car after it became submerged in Patchogue Bay on Thursday, June 15 at Mascot Dock.

Feehan said he lives only a few blocks away and was able to make it to the dock within 60-70 seconds after waking to his pager with the call. He immediately got dressed and headed to the dock.

“The police officer was already in the water and attempting to break the window, he could not open the windows or the doors. When the Fire truck got there, I was able to take a tool and swim out to use it to break the window,” he explained noting this was his first time rescuing someone from a car submerged in water. “The officer quickly reached in a grabbed the gentleman and we pulled him through and swam him back where the Patchogue Ambulance Company treated him.”

Though, he said, both he and the police are unsure what caused the vehicle to go into the water, he said, the driver was very panicked and scared of the situation as the water began to rise.

“We were able to get him out; it all worked out positively,” he added.

News 12, was apparently on the scene prior to the car driving into the water and captured the moment it happened. The team called 9-11 and within two minutes the first responders made it to the dock and immediately jumped in the water. They attempted to break the window a few times before successfully shattering it and removing the driver, who suffered minimal injuries.

Nestor Riosarvealo was driving a 2017 Nissan Sedan on South Ocean Avenue at Mascot Dock when the vehicle went off the dock into the water at 5 a.m. Riosarvealo, 33, of Patchogue, Officer Pitre, and Feehan were transported to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue, treated for minor injuries, and released.

What can you do if you witness a situation like this? Feehan said aside from calling 9-11, on Sunday, visit your local volunteer fire department or ambulance company and ask somebody how you can help.