(The following story by Gem Jefferson appeared on the Jersey Journal website on January 30, 2010.)
HACKENSACK, N.J. — A 55-year-old North Arlington man who fell into the Hackensack River from the Wittpenn Bridge early yesterday died from his injuries about nine hours after being rescued, police said.
The Jersey City Police Department Emergency Services Unit was called to Broadway at 4:42 a.m. to rescue Robert Fitzgerald, a CSX rail line worker who had accidentally fallen from the CSX bridge adjacent to the Wittpenn, dropping some 50 feet into the frigid waters below, police said.
Fitzgerald was able to make his way to pilings before losing consciousness from hypothermia, Sgt. Joe French said.
Officer John Traynor rushed to the pilings where a CSX officer was holding Fitzgerald, while Officer John Antman and French lowered a basket to pull Fitzgerald to the bridge and take him to an ambulance, police said.
“Every officer on the scene – State Police and CSX officers – showed tremendous courage in the effort to help this man,” French said.
Fitzgerald was taken to Jersey City Medical Center, where he died at 1:34 p.m., Jersey City Police Lt. Edgar Martinez said.
“The Jersey City Medical Center diligently worked for hours to try to save this individual,” Police Director Sam Jefferson said.