N.Y. Police Officer's Bodycam Captures Rescue of Boy in Frigid River Lock

April 4, 2025

A Baldwinsville police officer who responded to a 9-1-1 call about a 7-year-old boy who fell into a lock on the Seneca River helped firefighters and a bystander pull the young boy to safety.

By Timia Cobb

Source syracuse.com

BALDWINSVILLE, NY — A young boy was rescued Thursday evening after falling into a lock on the Seneca River in Baldwinsville, firefighters said.

A person heard the boy fall into the water at about 6:16 p.m. and quickly called for 911 for help, said North West Fire District Deputy Fire Chief Derek Natoli.

The boy was unable to get out water in the lock, Natoli said. Locks are used to raise or lower boats to the level of surrounding water as they travel. Baldwinsville police said the boy was 7 years old.

When firefighters arrived, they learned the boy had fallen 7 to 10 feet and was treading water, Natoli said.

“You could tell that he was definitely scared, kind of quiet,” Natoli said. “You could just tell by his expression that he was cold and frightened.”

Firefighters threw the boy a life ring to hold onto as they worked on getting closer to him before he got too cold. Due to where the boy was in the river and the temperatures, firefighters reached down to get him rather than waiting for a boat.

“Just based on the water conditions being cold ... time was a factor, and it was important to get him out of the water as quickly as possible,” Natoli said.

The boy was taken to Upstate University Hospital for evaluation.

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