Fdny drones guide dramatic east river rescue near queensboro bridge

New York, NY – A swift, coordinated response by the FDNY’s Marine and Robotics units saved a person from the East River early Saturday near the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.

The department said Marine 6 located the victim after FDNY drones deployed two bright yellow buoys to mark the area where the person was struggling in the water.

The victim was brought to the 92nd Street Ferry Terminal, where EMS crews provided medical treatment.

Key Points

FDNY Marine 6 rescued a person from the East River near the Queensboro Bridge.
FDNY Robotics used drones and buoys to mark the victim’s location for rescuers.
The victim was safely brought to shore and treated by EMS at the 92nd Street Ferry Terminal.

Battalion Chief Michael Dowling praised the Robotics team for their precision under difficult conditions. “By dropping those buoys near the victim, they gave us a clear visual marker that helped Marine 6 reach the individual much faster,” Dowling said. “You could see the buoys well before spotting the person’s head above water.”

FDNY officials said visibility was poor when the call came in, making the use of drones essential to the rapid response. The buoys provided a clear target for Marine 6 as it navigated toward the person in distress.

Coordinated response leads to successful rescue

The rescue demonstrated the city’s growing role of drone technology in emergency operations across the city. FDNY Robotics has been expanding its use of unmanned aerial systems to assist in search and rescue missions, hazardous incidents, and large-scale fires.

Officials credited the teamwork between the Robotics unit, Marine Battalion, and EMS personnel for saving the victim’s life. The individual’s current condition has not been released, but authorities confirmed they were alive when transported from the scene.

The FDNY said the operation demonstrated how technology and teamwork continue to enhance the department’s ability to respond to emergencies in New York’s most challenging environments.

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