Veteran Camden Firefighter Howard Bennett was working on a fire boat at Wiggins Park Marina when he became trapped under icy water

By Eric Conklin
nj.com

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Camden Fire Department firefighter who died has been identified as longtime member Howard Bennett.

A veteran South Jersey firefighter died Thursday after becoming trapped beneath the icy waters of a Camden Waterfront marina while working on a department boat, city officials said.

The firefighter, a man in his 60s, fell through the ice at the Wiggins Park Marina, which is next to the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.

He was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, city Public Information Officer Vince Basara said.

The marina houses boats on the Delaware River at a complex that includes the Adventure Aquarium and the Battleship New Jersey.

The man’s name was not released while officials notified next of kin, Basara said. City officials held a press conference at the hospital on Thursday afternoon to provide more information.

Camden Fire Chief Jesse Flax said authorities are still investigating the firefighter’s death. Mayor Victor Carstarphen added that the city will provide full support to the man’s family.

“It’s a tough time,” Carstarphen said.

The firefighter fell into the water around 11 a.m. and was submerged for several minutes, Basara said. He described the firefighter as a ‘longtime’ member of the department.

First responders performed life-saving measures before the firefighter was rushed to the hospital.

The firefighter and at least three colleagues were aboard a boat the department owns, officials said.

“It’s what we use to fight fire off the shoreline,” Flax said. “We usually have a team of four that go down there.”

The firefighter fell overboard, plunging into the icy water, while performing maintenance aboard the vessel, officials said. The circumstances of the fall were not immediately known.

Pete Perez, vice president of Camden Firefighters IAFF Local 788, said support services were being offered to department members.

“I appreciate the support that we received from our state,” Perez said at a news conference. “All of the local fire departments have reached out the minute they knew something was going on with one of our guys.”

Perez said he worked with the firefighter for about 21 years, and described him as being well-versed in boating.

“I just want to honor him in knowing that he was such a great firefighter and knew what he was doing,” Perez said. “When I got the call that was going on, I was in still in shock. I could not believe that this was going on. It was like, surreal.”

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