By: Jeff Sommes
Emergency crews in Paterson launched a water rescue operation Sunday afternoon after receiving reports of a person floating down the Passaic River on an air mattress.
Initial reports say, Paterson firefighters and police began searching the river at approximately 4:37 p.m. in the area behind a supermarket near 31 Main Street.
Crews searched the Passaic River between the Arch Street and Main Street bridges after witnesses reportedly observed a man floating on an air mattress.
As the search continued, authorities located the individual drifting toward the 1st Avenue bridge shortly after 5 p.m.
Rescue crews moved to intercept the man as the river’s current carried him northbound at a relatively slow pace.
The circumstances surrounding how the man ended up on the river were not immediately clear.
No information regarding injuries was immediately available.