Watch video of Passaic River rescue as New Jersey State Police use helicopter to recover Clifton firefighters
GARFIELD, N.J. -- A dramatic water rescue unfolded in real time Wednesday afternoon in the Passaic River in Garfield, and CBS New York brought it to you live on television and online.
With the Passaic River roaring around them, two first responders stood knee-deep in their Clifton Fire dingy.
"It's thrilling, but not so much for the poor guys that are in the river," witness Bernard Gustafson said.
Watch Ali Bauman's report
The city says the two firefighters were trying to rescue three contractors who were trimming trees by the river around 3 p.m. when their boat gave out between Clifton and Garfield.
While trying to save them, the firefighters' boat went over the Dundee Dam and stranded the two rescuers at the edge of Passaic Falls.
"The current on the river is pretty rough right now ... and it didn't look like any help was coming right away," Gustafson said.
Enter New Jersey State Police.
The three contractors were able to get out pretty quickly, but the two firefighters were in more troubled water.
"I was scared for them," witness Donna Gustafson said.
Watch Christine Sloan's report
A state trooper had to propel down through the mist, harness the first firefighter and lift him to safety, but the minutes moved slowly for the second firefighter, alone in a deafening current.
This time, when the trooper descended, the wind, along with the draft from the helicopter, pushed him farther from the target. He had to retreat, leaving the firefighter alone even longer.
"The second one, oh my god, that was scary. That was really scary. I was worried about the guy on the boat and the guy coming down, you know," Donna Gustafson said.
Finally, more than 15 minutes later, rescue returned, and third time was the charm, apparently. The trooper managed to reach the firefighter, life him past the trees and gently leave him on dry land.
"I'm just glad everybody is safe and going home to their families," Donna Gustafson said.
Safe, uninjured and in need of a hot shower.