On June 9 over 30,000 plus people were in Camden at three water front events. They included a concert at the E Center, a baseball game at the River Starks Stadium and a gathering at the aquarium. At 6:03 p.m., a call came into the Camden Police 911 center for a man in the Delaware River.
Engine 1,Rescue 1 Marine 1 and Battalion Chief 1 ( Rossi ) were dispatched. As the companes were responding, fire radio dispatchers advised that Camden EMS were on location at the foot of Cooper Street at the Delaware River with a man in the water.
Rescue one was now on location also assisting them. Police, EMS, and firefighters formed a human chain. It was impossible to launch a rescue boat in the area. Firefighters Bazan, Swan, Carabello, were now helping Camden EMS members Dave Brimtz and Dave Chessman who were now down the 20 foot ladder into the river holding onto the victim.
Due to the size of the victim, it took over five minutes to bring him onto land so other EMS members could check him out.
The man was transported to Cooper Trauma Center in Camden.