Key Points
- A Camden, New Jersey, firefighter died after falling into the ice-covered Delaware River on Thursday during a routine maintenance check at Wiggins Park Marina.
- Fire Chief Jesse Flax identified the firefighter as Howard Bennett, aged 61, who leaves behind a wife, two children, and many firefighter friends.
- Bennett was attempting to board a fireboat when he fell into the water around 11 a.m., spending approximately 30 minutes under the ice before rescue.
- Rescue efforts involved multiple boats, including one from the Camden Fire Department, with crews cutting through ice and first responders entering the water in life vests.
- One first responder walked and crawled onto the ice to assist in pulling Bennett from the river; he received chest compressions and was rushed to Cooper Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
- Dozens of firefighters and first responders gathered outside Cooper Hospital in Camden Thursday night to pay respects to Bennett.
- Mayor Vic Carstarphen expressed condolences, noting Bennett was a husband, brother, father, and dedicated public servant, and pledged city support for his family.
- Matthew Caliente, president of the Professional Fire Fighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ), highlighted the unity among firefighters nationwide.
- David Hines, vice president of PFANJ, described Bennett as reliable, a family man, and particularly attached to the fireboat, calling it “his baby.”
- Pete Perez, president of the Camden firefighters union, praised Bennett as a great firefighter, brother, and boating expert, emphasising the inherent dangers of routine tasks for first responders.
- Water temperature near the site was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, air temperature 29 degrees, per CBS News Philadelphia’s NEXT Weather team, with hypothermia risks in under 10-15 minutes.
- Perez noted extra support for union members grieving the loss.
- Carstarphen thanked first responders from neighbouring departments and reflected on life’s fragility.
- Recent frigid conditions caused the Delaware River to ice over, impacting shipping, as noted by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker on Wednesday regarding delayed road salt shipments.
Camden, (North London News) February 6, 2026 Camden Fire Department Howard Bennett died after falling into the ice-covered Delaware River Thursday during a routine boat maintenance check at Wiggins Park Marina. Fire Chief Jesse Flax confirmed the tragic incident, which unfolded around 11 a.m. and prompted a major rescue operation involving multiple agencies.
Mayor Vic Carstarphen addressed the loss in a news conference, stating,
“The city of Camden’s prayers are with the family, because he wasn’t just a public servant, he was a husband, a brother, a father that committed his adult life to serving and protecting and being there for our residents in the city.”
Bennett, 61, leaves behind a wife, two children, and a tight-knit community of fellow firefighters who gathered in drozens outside Cooper Hospital Thursday night to honour him.
What Happened During the Incident?
The sequence of events began when Howard Bennett attempted to board a fireboat for routine maintenance at Wiggins Park Marina. Fire Chief Jesse Flax detailed that Bennett fell into the frigid, ice-covered Delaware River, triggering an immediate response.
Multiple boats, including at least one from the Camden Fire Department, rushed to the scene, with crews cutting through thick ice while workers in life vests searched the water.
As reported in coverage of the event, one first responder bravely walked and crawled out onto the unstable ice upon spotting movement underwater.
That individual, along with several others, managed to pull Bennett from the river after he had been submerged for about 30 minutes, according to Flax. Paramedics administered chest compressions on site before transporting him by ambulance to Cooper Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
CBS News Philadelphia’s NEXT Weather team provided critical environmental context, noting the water temperature near the rescue site was approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit, with air temperatures at 29 degrees. Such conditions can lead to hypothermia and unconsciousness in less than 10-15 minutes, underscoring the perilous nature of the rescue.
Who Was Howard Bennett?
Howard Bennett was remembered fondly by colleagues as a dedicated firefighter, family man, and reliable team member. Fire Chief Jesse Flax identified him publicly, highlighting his 61 years and surviving family: a wife, two children, and numerous friends within the firefighting community.
David Hines, vice president of the Professional Fire Fighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ), eulogised Bennett as
“the guy that everybody could count on.”
Hines added,
“If they needed something fixed in the firehouse, they had difficult times, he was the guy they counted on. The fireboat was his baby is what they tell us.”
This affection for the fireboat aligned with his role in the maintenance task that proved fatal.
Pete Perez, president of the Camden firefighters union, who knew Bennett for a long time, described him as “well-versed in boating.” Perez shared,
“Today the city of Camden lost a great firefighter, a brother, couldn’t ask for a better person, and knowing him for the long time that I’ve known him here, he will sadly be missed. I’m devastated to the core.”
Perez further noted,
“For first responders, police and fire, training, routine things can be inherently dangerous, and today, unfortunately, we learned that.”
How Did the Firefighting Community Respond?
The response from the firefighting fraternity was swift and heartfelt. Dozens of firefighters and first responders assembled outside Cooper Hospital in Camden Thursday night to pay respects to Howard Bennett, demonstrating profound solidarity.
Matthew Caliente, president of the Professional Fire Fighters Association of New Jersey, captured this brotherhood, saying,
“That’s the unity of the firefighters in this state and around the country. We show up in the darkest moments to support our members.”
This gathering exemplified the tight-knit support network among emergency services personnel.
Pete Perez announced additional measures, stating that members of the Camden firefighters union would receive extra support to cope with their grief. This initiative aims to address the emotional toll on those who worked alongside Bennett.
What Did Local Leaders Say?
Mayor Vic Carstarphen led the official response with empathy and resolve. During the news conference, he affirmed the city’s commitment, saying,
“Carstarphen said the city will be there to support Bennett’s family and thanked the first responders who arrived at the scene, including some from neighboring departments.”
He reflected philosophically,
“Times like this, you realize how fragile life is. In times like this, the city, we come together.”
Fire Chief Jesse Flax provided factual updates throughout, from identifying Bennett to detailing the 30 minutes he spent under the ice, ensuring transparency amid the tragedy. Carstarphen’s thanks extended to neighbouring departments, recognising the collaborative rescue effort.
Why Was the Delaware River So Dangerous?
The Delaware River’s icy conditions stemmed from days of frigid weather, transforming a routine task into a deadly hazard. Ships had been cutting through ice all week to navigate, as broader regional impacts emerged.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker highlighted related disruptions, stating the ice had slowed shipments of road salt delivered by barge to the city. This context illustrates how prolonged cold snaps affected the entire region, exacerbating risks for operations like Bennett’s maintenance check.
The combination of sub-zero air, 40-degree water, and thick ice cover created a perfect storm, where even experienced personnel faced extreme peril, as evidenced by the rapid hypothermia onset reported by meteorologists.
What Support Is Available for Those Affected?
In the aftermath, practical support mobilised quickly. Mayor Carstarphen pledged city resources for Bennett’s family, reinforcing communal bonds in crisis.
Pete Perez confirmed union-led counselling, stating members would have
“extra support available to them as they deal with this grief.”
This proactive step acknowledges the psychological strain on first responders witnessing a colleague’s death.
The vigils at Cooper Hospital, attended by firefighters statewide and beyond, served as an immediate outlet for mourning, with leaders like Caliente and Hines fostering unity. These efforts highlight a comprehensive safety net for both Bennett’s kin and his professional circle.
How Does This Fit into Broader First Responder Risks?
This incident underscores the unforeseen dangers in everyday duties for firefighters. Pete Perez articulated, “Training, routine things can be inherently dangerous,” a sentiment echoing across emergency services.
David Hines’ account of Bennett’s handyman role and boat affinity paints a picture of a multifaceted servant whose ordinary tasks turned lethal. The involvement of neighbouring departments in the rescue further illustrates inter-agency reliance in high-stakes scenarios.
As the Camden community processes this loss, it serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made quietly, even in maintenance amid harsh winter conditions.
