Injured Ice Skater Rescued From Remote Canal in Princeton

Emergency crews used drones to locate the skater in the darkness and uneven terrain.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Emergency crews rescued an injured ice skater from a remote section of the Delaware & Raritan Canal near Alexander Street in Princeton, New Jersey on Tuesday evening. The skater was found nearly a mile from the road in an area with deep snow, ice, and uneven terrain. Multiple agencies responded to the incident and used drones to locate the person in the darkness.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of unauthorized ice skating, as the ice thickness cannot be reliably determined by appearance alone. Skating on canals and other unapproved waterways can lead to serious injuries and life-threatening situations like hypothermia and drowning.

The details

According to Princeton Police, the injured skater was found in a remote section of the Delaware & Raritan Canal. Rescue crews from multiple agencies, including the Princeton Police Department, Capital Health Paramedics, Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, Princeton Fire Department, West Windsor Police Department, West Windsor Fire Department/EMS, New Jersey State Police, and Princeton Office of Emergency Management, responded to the scene. The skater received medical treatment but the extent of injuries was not disclosed.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, February 11, 2026.

The players

Princeton Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and provided details about the rescue.

Capital Health Paramedics

The emergency medical service that provided treatment to the injured skater.

Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad

The volunteer emergency medical and rescue organization that assisted in the response.

Princeton Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the incident.

West Windsor Police Department

The neighboring police department that provided support during the rescue operation.

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What’s next

Authorities have reminded residents that ice skating is not permitted on the canal or other unauthorized waterways, as the ice thickness cannot be reliably determined by appearance alone. Officials urged people to only skate in designated areas to avoid similar dangerous situations.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of exercising caution and only skating in approved, monitored areas to prevent serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies. The successful rescue operation highlights the coordinated efforts of multiple emergency agencies to respond to and address these types of hazardous situations.