By Scott R. Axelrod
Staten Island Advance
NEW YORK — Brooklyn police officer Thomas Hionas, a resident of New Dorp, and his partner played a key role in the rescue of a man who had been trapped for several days in an enclosed alleyway, the NYPD announced.
The drama unfolded on Friday, Feb. 17 around 7:45 p.m. when Hionas and his partner — identified by the NYPD only as Officer Santiago — responded to a 911 call for a man who fell and was trapped at 1648 East 17 St., a spokesperson for the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public information said.
Upon arrival, the officers, along with members of the FDNY, searched the location, but were initially unable to locate the man. However, after further investigation, the officers found themselves in a back alleyway at Kings Highway and East 18th Street, where they discovered the 45-year-old man conscious and alert, the spokesperson said.
According to the spokesperson, the man had fallen from a two-story roof and was trapped in a cellar alleyway that was secured by a locked steel door. With help from the FDNY, the officers were able to gain access and found the injured man lying on the ground unable to move.
The man suffered injuries to his legs and body and was transported to Maimonides Hospital, the spokesperson said.
On Monday, the 61st Precinct posted a tweet hailing both officers for rescuing “a member of our community” and for reuniting the man with his family.
https://twitter.com/NYPD61Pct/status/1640458993800998914
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