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Police Rescue Officer, Good Samaritan Who Went Into East River After Teens

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Crews dove into the East River Friday evening to rescue a man who in turn had gone in to help three teens, and an officer who had gone in to help the man.

As CBS2's Scott Rapoport reported, police and fire sources said the teens entered the water at Gantry Plaza State Park, at 45-40 Center Blvd. in Long Island City, Queens, around 7:30 p.m.

Cellphone video from residents in the area captured the massive response. A male bystander, a good Samaritan, jumped into the water to rescue the teens.

"I saw two guys in the water and one rescue swimmer, or whatever, trying to go after them," said witness Jorge Ortiz.

But the three teens made it out on their own, and the good Samaritan was unable to get out of the water, officials said.

A police officer then jumped into the water and tried to rescue the man, officials said. But he too was unsuccessful, and both he and the good Samaritan were pulled from the water by NYPD and FDNY harbor units.

"People from the actual boats wound up pulling the guys up," Ortiz said.

The FDNY rushed four people to NewYork Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center with minor injuries.

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