NY Man Had to Tread Water for Hours Before Being Rescued by Fisherman Off NJ Coast

A New York City man who entered the water in Queens was swept away by the tide and forced to tread water for several hours before he was picked up by good Samaritans near the New Jersey coast on Monday, according to police.

The Middletown Township Police Department in New Jersey said they received a call at around 9 a.m. Monday reporting that a distressed swimmer had been pulled from the water between Sandy Hook, N.J., and New York City.

Pete Ordane, 34, told officers he entered the water in the area of Breezy Point in Queens, and was pulled out by the tide. He said he treaded water for several hours before a commercial fisherman and his son spotted him approximately two miles offshore Sandy Hook.

The fisherman and his son pulled Ordane on board their boat and transported him to Monmouth Cove Marina in the Port Monmouth neighborhood of Middletown. At the marina, Ordane spoke with police and was evaluated by emergency medical personnel. Ordane was found to be in good condition and refused further medical attention. Police provided Ordane with dry clothes and food before arranged transportation back to New York.

"The Middletown Police commend the commercial fisherman and his son, who reside in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown and wish to remain anonymous, for taking such valiant actions and undoubtedly saving Ordane’s life," police said in a statement.

—TMX contributed to this report.