Swan Rescued from Frozen River by Norwalk, CT, Firefighters

Norwalk ice rescue crews worked for more than 30 minutes to free the swan, who was taken to a vet for evaluation.
Feb. 3, 2026
2 min read

Peter Yankowski

Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.

(TNS)

NORWALK — Firefighters rescued a swan frozen in the Norwalk River Tuesday, a the fire chief said, as Connecticut has seen more than a week of frigid temperatures.

Firefighters responded to the Wall Street Bridge during the morning hours for a "report of a swan frozen in the icy waters," Fire Department Chief Edward McCabe said in news release.

He said firefighters put on cold water rescue suits, entered the river and "safely freed" the swan from the ice. The animal then was brought to shore "without incident," he said.

Photos released by the Fire Department showed crews secured the animal to a Stokes basket and lifted it up a ladder from the snowy bank to the sidewalk railing

McCabe said the bird was taken to the VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center for "evaluation and additional care."

"This incident highlights the department’s all-hazards readiness and commitment to protecting both residents and wildlife in the community," the fire chief added.

The rescue comes as Connecticut has been locked in a stretch of icy weather for more than a week. Temperatures barely rose above freezing at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks Monday afternoon, ending a streak of subfreezing temperatures that was the longest since the winter of 2017-18.

Gov. Ned Lamont has extended the state's severe cold weather protocol into next week in response to the frigid temperatures.

© 2026 Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.. Visit www.journalinquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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