Good Samaritans Rescued After Attempt to Save Woman in Hudson

Two NYPD divers return to their search for the body of a woman who jumped into the Hudson River Tuesday morning. Photo: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib

In a futile effort to save a woman who had jumped into the Hudson River just south of Canal Street Tuesday around 10 a.m, two Good Samaritans tried to swim after her and were themselves rescued by first responders. Despite the underwater search efforts of NYPD and FDNY divers, officials said, the woman remained missing throughout the day.

“We were able to get [the Good Samaritans] out of the water very quickly with some drop ladders,” said Battalion Chief James Riley, adding that the men refused medical attention.

A witness told the Trib that she had seen the woman sitting on the other side of the esplanade fence as a man tried to “calm her off the edge” and back to safety.

“She was screaming at everyone that was walking by saying you’re all demons trying to get me,” said the witness, who asked not to be identified. She said she saw the woman swimming the backstroke about 30 yards out into the river as first responders rescued the Good Samaritans. “I saw her head and I saw her go under,” she said. “By the time they got to her she had gone under. She never resurfaced again.”

Riley said the FDNY called off the search after about an hour. The NYPD remained on the scene but as of Tuesday evening, an NYPD spokeswoman said, “the investigation remains ongoing.”