Thermal Drones & Ice Sleds: The High-Tech Rescue of Two Teens on the Hackensack River
photos couretesy of the Oradell Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Oradell NJ, an evening walk on the ice turned into a life-threatening ordeal for two North Jersey teenagers this Friday. What began as an adventurous trek to an island in the middle of the Hackensack River ended in a dramatic, high-tech rescue operation involving thermal-imaging drones and specialized ice rescue sleds.
The incident serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of “thin ice” as winter temperatures fluctuate across Bergen County.
The Incident: Trapped by Deteriorating Ice
At approximately 5:25 p.m. on January 16, 2026, a commuter disembarking from a train in Oradell spotted a terrifying sight: two figures walking on the frozen river near Van Buskirk Island.
The two 16-year-old boys from New Milford had successfully crossed the ice to reach the island, a county-owned park. However, as they attempted to return, they realized the ice had weakened significantly under the setting sun, leaving them stranded and unable to reach the mainland safely.
The Rescue: Drones and “Ice Sleds” to the Rescue
Oradell Police and Fire departments acted quickly, deploying a sophisticated “two-pronged” rescue strategy:
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Eyes in the Sky: Oradell Emergency Management launched a drone equipped with thermal imaging. This allowed rescuers to maintain constant “situational awareness,” tracking the heat signatures of the boys in the dark and monitoring the ice’s stability from above.
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The “Ice Sled” Deployment: Fire Chief Terry Moran’s team utilized an unmotorized ice rescue sled. Unlike traditional methods where rescuers must crawl flat on the ice, this sled skims across frozen surfaces or floats if the ice breaks. Rescuers were able to pull the teens back to shore one by one.
“It’s one of the tools we have on hand because of the river,” Chief Moran said. “We brought them back one by one and turned them over to the police department.”
A Happy Ending and a Stern Warning
Fortunately, the rescue was a total success. The boys were pulled to safety unharmed and were reunited with their mothers at the scene. No first responders were injured during the operation.
However, Police Lt. Joseph Maino issued a firm reminder to the public: Van Buskirk Island is county property and should not be accessed, especially during the winter. “Ice conditions are unpredictable and extremely dangerous,” authorities warned. “Please stay off the ice.”
Safety Tips for Bergen County Residents
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Never Assume Ice is Safe: Even if it looks thick, moving water (like the Hackensack River) can thin ice from underneath.
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See Something, Say Something: The teens were saved because a vigilant commuter called the police immediately.
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Keep Your Distance: If you see someone fall through, do not run out to help them. Call 911 and try to reach them with a long object (like a branch or rope) from the shore.
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