3 Rescued From Submerged Vehicle By Officer, Good Samaritan In Atlantic County

ABSECON, N.J. (CBS) – Police say an officer and good Samaritan rescued three people from a submerged vehicle in Atlantic County Friday.

The incident occurred around 5:10 p.m. on the 400 block of E. Absecon Boulevard in Absecon, New Jersey.

Officials say Trooper Jaime Ablett, from the Atlantic City Marine Station, was driving home from work when he saw a vehicle almost completely submerged in a retention pond, with only the rear tires visible.

"I observed a gentleman in the water yelling for help," Ablett said, "saying there were other occupants in the vehicle."

Authorities say Ablett notified dispatch, got out of his troop car, and jumped in the water where he was joined by good Samaritan Luis Roselli.

Officials say Ablett and Roselli were able to remove two unresponsive men, dressed in full Marine camouflage uniforms, from the vehicle. Police say the men quickly regained consciousness after being pulled from the water.

Police say Roselli then used a knife, given to him by responders, to cut the final occupant out of the vehicle, a woman who was unable to unlatch her seatbelt, and pulled her to safety.

"He really helped us get these people out that much faster," Ablett said. "It was good to know that someone body wanted to help, they weren't afraid of anything else."

All three victims were taken to Atlantic City Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Police are investigating what caused the vehicle to end up in the retention pond.