A man from New Jersey made a bizarre attempt to stab a firefighter with a screwdriver while being rescued from rough waters off the coast of Atlantic City on New Year’s Eve, according to authorities.
Firefighters quickly responded to a distress call about a man in trouble in the freezing waters off the beach. They found 31-year-old Christopher Treadway floating in the cold water but not actively swimming. Rookie firefighter Dominic Gitto had to wade through the water to reach him on a longboard.
Treadway reacted aggressively when Gitto and another firefighter approached him, even attempting to stab Gitto with a concealed screwdriver. Gitto managed to deflect the attack and pull Treadway onto the rescue crew’s waverunner.
Despite the rescue sled attached to the waverunner, Treadway continued to resist, forcing the first responders to form a human chain to bring him to shallow water.
Authorities believe that Treadway was undergoing a psychiatric episode during the incident. He was taken into custody for evaluation in a psychiatric inpatient unit.
Gitto, despite facing hypothermia from the cold water during the rescue, was praised by Atlantic City Fire Chief Scott Evans for his professionalism and sacrifice.
“Our firefighters are trained for hazardous situations like cold-water rescues, and this incident highlights the importance of that training and teamwork,” Chief Evans stated.
The Atlantic City firehouse also commended the efforts of Firefighter Gitto and all involved companies for saving a life.
Treadway was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, resisting arrest, and obstruction.
