Passaic advances river safety measures following children’s drowning deaths
The deaths of Michael Klenk and Milian Dula near Dundee Island on July 29 prompted Passaic officials to review safety along the waterway and consider new measures aimed at preventing future tragedies.
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Passaic officials have moved forward with plans to implement new safety measures along the Passaic River after two 10-year-olds drowned near a boat ramp in late July.
The deaths of Michael Klenk and Milian Dula near Dundee Island on July 29 prompted officials to review safety along the waterway and consider new measures aimed at preventing future tragedies.
First responders recently gathered for a multi-agency training session at Hughes Lake in Third Ward Veterans Memorial Park to learn how to use new equipment acquired by the municipality, including a water drone.
"Operated from dry land, the drone can be launched in under one minute and directed toward a person in distress. It gives first responders the ability to quickly get a rescue device into the water while Fire Department water rescue crews and boats are being deployed," Mayor Hector Lora said.
Other ideas discussed following the tragedy included additional warning signs, increased patrols, water safety education in schools, potential barriers in some locations and additional lifesaving equipment to assist during water emergencies. Lora also revisited a proposal he made to state officials in 2020 after a young man died after plunging from the Market Street Bridge in Passaic.
In August, Lora told News 12 he had also proposed installing rescue buoys at bridges and public waterways across New Jersey to give bystanders and first responders immediate access to lifesaving equipment during water emergencies. The mayor said the proposal would have covered approximately 193 bridges that are at least 100 feet long and cross major waterways, as well as other public waterways throughout the state.
While the statewide proposal was not adopted, Lora said Passaic moved forward on its own by placing rescue discs in every police vehicle, allowing officers to respond quickly to water emergencies.
In September, Lora wrote letters to Sen. Paul Sarlo and Rep. Nellie Pou on behalf of the Passaic River Safety Task Force — which includes multiple towns along the river — asking for their assistance in advancing initiatives to improve safety along the waterway.
According to the mayor, Passaic has experienced more than seven water-related incidents since 2016, including people swept away during storms, vehicle crashes into waterways and other river emergencies.
