Fire truck - file photo
Fire truck - File Photo

Veteran firefighter lost in Camden marina ice tragedy

Posted by
1 min read
February 5, 2026

CAMDEN, NJ – A veteran firefighter with decades of service died Thursday after plunging through ice and becoming trapped beneath the water at a marina along the Camden Waterfront, city officials confirmed.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. at Wiggins Park Marina, a body of water on the Delaware River adjacent to the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion and near the Adventure Aquarium and Battleship New Jersey.

According to city Public Information Officer Vince Basara, the firefighter, a man in his 60s, fell through the ice and was submerged for several minutes before being pulled from the water by first responders. Life-saving measures were immediately performed at the scene as crews worked to revive him.

The firefighter was rushed to Cooper University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His name was not released Thursday as officials worked to notify next of kin.

Basara described the victim as a longtime member of the department. City officials held a press conference at the hospital Thursday afternoon to address the incident and provide additional details.

  • Firefighter fell through ice at Wiggins Park Marina
  • Incident happened late Thursday morning along the Camden Waterfront
  • Victim pronounced dead at Cooper University Hospital

Officials have not yet released further information about the circumstances surrounding the fall.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Breaking News

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version