VIDEO: NYPD Air Rescue Saves Cargo Ship Pilot Near Verrazano Bridge
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The NYPD came swooping in to the rescue of a ship's captain in distress, and the whole thing was caught on video.
The Grey Shark, a 330-foot commercial cargo ship, was anchored between the Verrazano Bridge and the Staten Island Ferry Terminal Tuesday when its skipper had a heart attack, police said.
The NYPD scrambled to the ship, and a medic boarded to treat Captain Aly Akl.
Once Det. Robert Brager had Akl stabilized, the decision was made to airlift him off the ship.
NYPD dispatched a helicopter, which lowered a rescue basket. Akl was then hoisted up, and Brager followed.
Video of the rescue was uploaded to YouTube.
Akl was taken to Staten Island University North Hospital and is stable condition.
The other police officers involved in the rescue are Det. Ralph Gaglioti, Sgt. John O'Hara, officer Colin Woode and officer Christopher Maher.
