Crime & Safety

Matawan Firefighters Rescue Man Who Drove Around Road Closure Signs Into Flood Water [VIDEO]

Aberdeen Road is known for flooding, but one man did not heed the road blocks warning drivers of the dangers ahead.

A Port Monmouth man found himself up Matawan Creek without a paddle Wednesday morning when his car stalled out in flood water on Aberdeen Road.

According to Matawan Police Lt. Ben Smith, the 77-year-old driver navigated around the "Road Flooded" signs warning motorists of the danger ahead. 

The stretch of roadway floods often, and the way it dips next to the creek can make the depth of the water on the road deceiving.

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Members of the Matawan Borough Fire Department who are water-rescue certified came to the driver's aid. In waterproof suits, firefighters Richard Michitsch and Brian Kopf guided Marine-29-1, a zodiac boat, out to the Mercury and helped the man out of his car. 

According to Assistant Fire Chief Zee Varsanyi, when the firefighters reached the man's car the water was about six to eight inches high in the interior. 

Find out what's happening in Matawan-Aberdeenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

They guided him safely back to shore where he was issued a driving summons by Sgt. Patrick Walker.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

Marine-29-1, Midway Hose Company, the Matawan Fire Police and the Matawan Police Department responded to the scene. 


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