Emergency responders were searching the Passaic River after a worker was swept away by a storm surge while inspecting a bridge, authorities say.
Several workers with a private company were in shallow canal waters inspecting underneath the President Street Bridge when it started raining profusely, according to Passaic Mayor Alex Blanco and witnesses.
The canal, which sits at the entrance to a Home Depot store and flows into the Passaic River, flooded within minutes, according to witness Jeremy Rodriguez. Rodriguez and another bystander, Valentin Beltran, helped to pull one worker out, but couldn't get to the other one quickly enough.
"It started raining so fast and the tide came up, and it happened so quick," said Rodriguez.
The worker was swept away by stormwaters in Weasel Brook, witnesses and authorities said. A 911 call was made at about 2:45 p.m.
The one worker who was rescued was grateful.
"When he came out, he said, 'Thank you, thank you, thank you,' and he was just crying," said Rodriguez. "He said, 'I was born again."'
Local
Firefighters and other responders were on boats in the water searching for the man, and they were also using sonar and infrared equipment. A helmet and two flashlights were found in the water, the mayor said.
The search paused because of bad weather and high tide, but officials say they're still considering it a rescue mission. It's expected to resume Tuesday morning.
The search has extended at least a mile.
The scene has left a mark on the men who tried to save the worker's life.
"I don't know, I don't even want to imagine," he said. "I feel bad, because we couldn't do nothing about it. It happened so quick."
