Conrail workers hailed as heroes for rescuing man from Piscataway flooding
Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler says that police received a call that someone was trapped in their car during Monday’s storm.
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Two railroad workers are being honored as heroes for saving a man from flooding in Piscataway on Monday.
Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler says that police received a call that someone was trapped in their car on New Market Road and Lakeview Avenue. He says two Conrail workers checking out power lines were the first on the scene and saw someone face down in the water.
“Once he stopped moving, though, 'cause we were trying to call him out, get him to lift his head. But once he stopped moving, that's when I decided to just jump in anyway,” said worker Paul Clawges.
“He got in and went to work. He grabbed the gentleman out with one arm, pulled him aside onto the road and started performing CPR. Chest compressions, then later, mouth-to-mouth,” said worker Parry Sanders.
The mayor says that the victim was alert and taken to the hospital.
The president of Conrail is praising Clawges’s actions.
"Paul Clawges is an outstanding employee who cares for his fellow workers and community. He demonstrated extraordinary courage when he rushed into flash floodwaters to perform a life-saving rescue and CPR on an individual in distress. He is truly a hero amongst us!" president Brian Gorton wrote in a statement.
