Two Suffolk County Police officers, a Lake Success Police officer and five good Samaritans rescued a couple from their vehicle after it became submerged in a Lindenhurst canal following a motor vehicle crash.
A 2018 Ford pickup and 2016 Subaru were involved in a motor vehicle crash at Venetian Promenade and Montauk Highway at approximately 12:10 p.m. Following the crash, the driver of the Subaru backed up his vehicle into eastbound Montauk Highway, where it was struck by a 2004 Mercury.
The Mercury then crashed through a fence and into a canal.
Yikes. This afternoon in my hometown of Lindenhurst, a car ended up in the water off of Montauk Highway. Several people who were nearby jumped in to rescue the occupants. All seem to be okay at this time. Tune into News 12 now for more information! pic.twitter.com/Ijeobjdtqd
— Geoff Bansen (@WeatherGeoff) October 19, 2020
Five good Samaritans, off-duty Suffolk County Police Officer John Tighe and on-duty Suffolk County Police Officer Debra Gearon jumped into the water and pulled the driver, Joseph Abitabile, 78, from the vehicle. Rescuers broke a window to extricate Abitabile’s wife, Delores, 76, who was unconscious.
Off duty Lake Success Police Officer Robert Russo performed CPR on the woman and her pulse and breathing were restored.
Police say a husband and wife from Massapequa are okay after their car went into a canal in Lindenhurst. We’re told good Samaritans jumped in the water and rescued the couple @News12LI pic.twitter.com/AdFBoyEQxz
— Logan Crawford (@LoganTCrawford) October 19, 2020
The Abitabiles, of Massapequa, one good Samaritan, the two Suffolk County Police officers, and the driver of the Subaru, Morris Kramer, 85, of Atlantic Beach, were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford, Greg Destefano, was not injured. (From Suffolk CountyPolice You Tube Video description)
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