Party Pirates to the Rescue
A group of spirited jet skiers, known as the NYC Pirates, turned from potential troublemakers to heroes on Wednesday when they saved a teenager who jumped from the Brooklyn Bridge.
They managed to retrieve the 19-year-old just moments after he hit the East River, quickly handing him over to police who transported him to the hospital in a timely manner, ultimately saving his life.
Footage of the rescue captured the tense moment as the Pirates navigated the choppy waters to deliver the injured teen to a rescue boat. In an unusual move, one skier even tossed his companion into the water to make the transfer smoother.
“It was like, ‘holy cow, did that really just happen?’ It was pretty wild,” James Reichelt, president of the NYC Pirates, recounted. He, who goes by “Whiteboy,” emphasized that they were simply fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.
The crew, known for their lively waterway parties near City Island, had been enjoying an unusually warm day when they spotted a flurry of activity near the Brooklyn Bridge.
They noticed a police boat racing to assist a man standing at the bridge’s edge, and in a matter of seconds, he jumped. Reichelt wasted no time; he propelled towards the splash without a second thought.
“From my years on the water, I know that every second matters,” Reichelt explained.
The teenager surfaced just about a foot underwater when Reichelt arrived and astonishingly was still conscious after the 278-foot fall.
“I grabbed him and said, ‘Hold on, buddy, I’m here! Don’t worry!’” Reichelt recalled. “The moment I pulled him up, I saw the fear in his eyes. He was terrified. The first thing he said was, ‘I’m sorry,’” he added.
While the young man was clearly hurt, he could still move and was making noises. Another member of the crew jumped onto Reichelt’s jet ski to help stabilize the teen as they brought him to the NYPD Harbor Unit boat, which took him to South Street Seaport, where an ambulance rushed him to Bellevue Hospital.
Fortunately, the 19-year-old is now reported to be in stable condition, according to police.
Reichelt shared the intense experience on social media as a heartfelt reminder for those dealing with suicidal thoughts to seek help instead of risking their lives.
Suicide prevention is a mission that resonates deeply with the NYC Pirates; the jet ski group has organized annual fundraisers for mental health awareness over the past couple of summers.
“The look on his face—it was filled with fear. There was regret, maybe for whatever led him to apologize,” said Reichelt.
While he’s open to being called a hero for his quick response, Reichelt humbly noted that such actions are typical for him and his friends. They’ve responded to various emergencies before, including a boat fire and rescuing tired swimmers during their celebrated water disco parties on Bronx waterways.
“Seconds in the water can make all the difference. I’m just glad to have been in the right place at the right time to help someone. I’m always ready to lend a hand,” said Reichelt.
