Camden Firefighter Falls Through Ice into Delaware River, Dies from Submersion
A 61-year-old firefighter with the Camden City Fire Department lost his life on Thursday morning after falling through the ice and into the icy waters of the Delaware River. The incident occurred while he was conducting maintenance on a fire boat at Wiggins Waterfront Park marina.
According to officials, the firefighter fell into the water around 11 a.m., prompting an immediate response from neighboring departments, including Philadelphia, which sent personnel on scene. Fire Chief Jesse Flax described the rescue effort as chaotic, with the man being submerged under the ice for nearly 30 minutes before he was pulled from the water.
The fire department is still investigating the cause of the incident, but officials say that the area where the maintenance work took place has all the necessary equipment and gear to ensure safety. The investigation is ongoing, and Flax noted that there are "a lot of things under investigation."
This tragedy highlights the risks faced by firefighters in their line of work, as Firefighters Association President Mathew Caliente put it: "The dangers of this profession do not only exist within a burning building." Caliente's words serve as a reminder to respect and appreciate the bravery and sacrifice of public servants like Howard Bennett, who dedicated his life to serving and protecting his community.
As temperatures remain below freezing in the region, warnings have been issued about the dangers of walking or skating on frozen rivers and streams. Philadelphia police have specifically stated that these activities are "illegal and unsafe," while the National Weather Service forecast notes that prolonged cold snaps will keep bodies of water frozen until temperatures rise into the 40s.
In response to Bennett's passing, Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen described him as "a husband, a brother, a father who committed his adult life to serving and protecting our residents." The city has issued a code blue advisory, and officials are urging residents to be aware of the risks associated with cold weather and icy surfaces.
A 61-year-old firefighter with the Camden City Fire Department lost his life on Thursday morning after falling through the ice and into the icy waters of the Delaware River. The incident occurred while he was conducting maintenance on a fire boat at Wiggins Waterfront Park marina.
According to officials, the firefighter fell into the water around 11 a.m., prompting an immediate response from neighboring departments, including Philadelphia, which sent personnel on scene. Fire Chief Jesse Flax described the rescue effort as chaotic, with the man being submerged under the ice for nearly 30 minutes before he was pulled from the water.
The fire department is still investigating the cause of the incident, but officials say that the area where the maintenance work took place has all the necessary equipment and gear to ensure safety. The investigation is ongoing, and Flax noted that there are "a lot of things under investigation."
This tragedy highlights the risks faced by firefighters in their line of work, as Firefighters Association President Mathew Caliente put it: "The dangers of this profession do not only exist within a burning building." Caliente's words serve as a reminder to respect and appreciate the bravery and sacrifice of public servants like Howard Bennett, who dedicated his life to serving and protecting his community.
As temperatures remain below freezing in the region, warnings have been issued about the dangers of walking or skating on frozen rivers and streams. Philadelphia police have specifically stated that these activities are "illegal and unsafe," while the National Weather Service forecast notes that prolonged cold snaps will keep bodies of water frozen until temperatures rise into the 40s.
In response to Bennett's passing, Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen described him as "a husband, a brother, a father who committed his adult life to serving and protecting our residents." The city has issued a code blue advisory, and officials are urging residents to be aware of the risks associated with cold weather and icy surfaces.
... another hero goes down in a job that's already super tough on you physically and mentally. Can't believe he was doing maintenance on a boat over ice 
. I mean, safety checks should've been done before sending him out there. Investigation's just going to say "unknown" and move on... poor guy's life is gone 
. And yeah, we all know how many other "accidents" happen when it comes to icy surfaces 
. The thing that really gets me is the mayor's statement, sounds like a scripted PR move 
. Anyway, RIP Howard Bennett 
61 yrs old firefighter just fell through ice and died 
what was he doing out there in freezing temps? maintenance on fire boat... should've been safer... lotsa stuff under investigation i guess 
but seriously who checks if the area is safe for ice walking/skating? 
man, what a tragedy! Ice is super sketchy, especially when you're working on something like a fire boat 
. 30 minutes underwater? that's insane! 
my heart goes out to his family, he was basically just doing his job and ended up losing his life 
. they're already at risk with fires and all, now add ice and freezing temps? no thanks 
. hope the investigation gets to the bottom of what happened 
. Warnings about frozen water should be taken seriously - it's not just about respecting his sacrifice, it's about staying safe 
but i guess its not as easy as it looks 
may he rest in peace 
anyway, i think what's crazy is how quickly it happened... like he just went out for maintenance and then BAM! gone. my uncle used to be a firefighter too and it freaks me out every time i see them doing that kind of work. the city should def do an investigation ASAP tho 
And the investigation is still ongoing, so only time will tell what went wrong in this case. But one thing's for sure, these firefighters put their lives on the line every day... RIP Howard Bennett 
. it's all about safety n prevention, not just reactin 2 emergencies after they happen 
.
...should've been better prepared or safer gear 
. just a reminder for all of us to respect these brave men and women 
I mean, I get it, he's a firefighter and all but come on, can't we prioritize his safety over some fancy fireboat maintenance? 
. Something fishy's going on here, mark my words 
.
firefighters put their lives on the line every day & it's just heartbreaking when they don't make it 