Social media videos captured the harrowing scene as terrified passengers, mostly wearing life jackets, leapt into the sea amidst the chaos of flames and smoke emanating from the KM Barcelona 5 ferry.
As many as 15 workers may be trapped underground following reports of an industrial tunnel collapse in Wilmington around 8 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.
FDNY Assistant Chief Mike Meyers detailed the challenging rescue efforts, emphasizing the complexities involved in transferring patients from the water and coordinating emergency services on land.
"It is highly complex trying to get to the vehicle itself with the terrain out here and where the M88 is sitting in a bog swamp-like area, below the waterline," Brig. Gen. John Lloyd stated.
One of the two surf lifesavers who worked to free the man, Ace Petrie, said when he first reached the man, he was submerged from chest down in fast moving water.