NEW YORK CITY, NY — A weekend celebration in Queens turned tense when police jumped into the East River to rescue a woman carrying her 5‑month‑old baby, officials said.
The scene at Hermon A. MacNeil Park in College Point grew chaotic as volunteers prepared for a parade and festival and bystanders began shouting when the woman reportedly waded into the river while holding the infant.
Retired police officer Paul Pinsdorf, part of the Halloween parade setup team, heard the commotion and immediately entered the water to help, authorities said. Another retired officer, Kevin O’Donnell, called 911 after spotting the woman waist‑deep in the water with her baby, according to the New York Post.
First responders arrived quickly and took both mother and child to different nearby hospitals for evaluation. Authorities said they believe the distressed woman may have been attempting to drown herself and her baby.
The investigation remains ongoing.