Islip firefighters rescue driver after SUV plunges into icy boat ramp

Islip firefighters pulled a single occupant from an SUV that had inadvertently driven down the Maple Street boat ramp at Islip Town Docks and become stuck in icy water amid heavy fog, fire officials reported. The department was notified at around 5:35 a.m., and crews located the vehicle at the end of the ramp before assisting the occupant to shore, with no injuries reported.

Patch’s account of the response quoted the department: “the department was notified at around 5:35 a.m. of a vehicle that had inadvertently driven partially down the Maple Street boat ramp in dense fog conditions before becoming stuck in icy water.” Patch added that “Upon arrival, units located a single vehicle that had entered the water at the end of the ramp.” NewYork News12 likewise reported, “Firefighters helped the occupant out of the vehicle after it got stuck in icy waters. There were no reported injuries.”

Islip Fire Department material captured in the incident summary describes the department’s regular response capabilities for water and ice rescues. The department’s Rescue Squad operates two ambulances and a first response vehicle and is staffed by EMTs, EMT Critical Care providers and Paramedics. The Islip FD also fields a Tactical Rescue Team for high angle and confined space emergencies and participates in the MacArthur Airport crash fire rescue plan, underscoring the unit’s training for technical water rescues of the type crews executed at the Maple Street ramp.

The incident report excerpts and local news accounts do not name the occupant, provide a vehicle make or model beyond the description SUV in the Islip FD summary, or indicate whether Suffolk County Police, a tow company, or harbor authorities responded to recover the vehicle. Fire department and news pages describe the SUV as “partially submerged in icy waters” but do not report fuel leaks, environmental contamination or further property damage. Officials have not released a timeline for vehicle recovery or an assessment of damage.

Anyone who witnessed the early morning rescue or who has photos or video from the Maple Street boat ramp at the Islip Town Docks around 5:30 to 6:00 a.m. on Feb. 18, 2026, should contact the Islip Fire Department public information office or Suffolk County Police to assist investigators and to help clarify outstanding details. The department’s headquarters is located just south of Main Street on Monell Avenue, and Station No. 2 sits on the north side of town on Commack Road; both locations house apparatus and crews that respond to vehicle, water and ice rescues in town.

Islip Fire Department and local news outlets characterized the rescue as successful and without injury. Officials did not provide information on whether any charges or citations resulted from the incident; those details remain pending further agency reports.