An 86-year-old Manchester, New Jersey resident was rescued from his sinking vehicle early Sunday morning after the car plunged into a water reservoir adjacent to a golf course. Within minutes of the dramatic rescue, the automobile disappeared completely beneath the water's surface.
The incident unfolded around 4:52 a.m. Sunday at the Renaissance at Manchester residential community in the Whiting section of Manchester Township, Ocean County. The development is an age-restricted community for residents 55 and older, located in relative proximity to Lakewood, one of the largest Orthodox Jewish centers in the United States. However, authorities provided no indication that the driver or circumstances of the incident were connected to the Orthodox community.
Manchester Township Police received a report of a vehicle in a water reservoir and actively sinking near the intersection of Halsted and Esplanade Roads. Upon arrival, officers spotted George Migner, an 86-year-old local resident, trapped inside a black 2024 Nissan Altima and calling for help. The vehicle continued its descent into the water even as rescue operations commenced.
Officer Sean Rambach entered the water and swam toward the submerging car while Officer Donald Miller deployed a rescue bag equipped with a floating rope to help guide the driver out of the vehicle and back to shore safely. Shortly after Migner was extracted from the water, the automobile sank completely out of view.
Migner explained to officers that he had been attempting to execute a K-turn, a reversal maneuver involving forward and backward movement, when he shifted into reverse and mistakenly pressed the accelerator pedal instead of the brake. The error sent the vehicle over an embankment and into the water reservoir bordering the golf course.
Manchester Emergency Medical Services, the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, and the Whiting Water Rescue and Recovery Team were also summoned to the scene. Rescue personnel inspected the vehicle and surrounding area to confirm no additional passengers remained inside, then assisted with recovery operations and the eventual removal of the car from the water.
Emergency medical personnel provided on-site treatment to Migner. He was evaluated for minor injuries, and no other casualties were reported.
Manchester Township Police commended Officers Rambach and Miller along with all emergency responders who participated in the operation. The incident concluded without serious injury thanks to rapid response, an officer's willingness to enter the water, and coordination among police, medical teams, and fire services.
