Bridgewater, NJ – On July 4, 2018 at approximately 4:04 pm, Bridgewater Police Officers responded to the Raritan River near Duke Island Park, in response to the report of a possible drowning. Upon the officer’s arrival, they entered the river and assisted removing the male victim, later identified as Fermin Franco (age 52) of Valley Stream NY. Officers initiated CPR and all lifesaving protocols. Bradley Gardens Fire Department, Bradley Gardens Rescue Squad and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Paramedics arrived and continued providing medical aide, until the victim was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Somerset (RWJUHS).
Officers received information that Franco was pronounced dead shortly after midnight on July 5, 2018.
This drowning appears to be accidental, but the incident is still under investigation.