MIAMI – A woman is fighting for her life after being pulled unconscious from the Miami River Tuesday morning, and police say a man who was with her has been detained as part of the investigation.
The incident unfolded just before 11 a.m. near 114 Southwest North River Drive, west of downtown Miami, where cellphone video captured the tense moments first responders rushed to the water’s edge.
“When we arrived on scene we were advised by bystanders that someone pushed a female into the river and had not resurfaced,” said Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez.
Sanchez said MFR divers, along with a fire boat and a police marine vessel, launched an urgent search. Video shows officers and firefighters scanning the river and jumping in to help.
“Within minutes, our divers surfaced her from under water” while she was unconscious, Sanchez added.
He said paramedics immediately began life-saving efforts and rushed the woman to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where she remain in serious condition as of Tuesday evening.
The woman’s identity and age have not been released.
Back at the scene, officers blocked off Southwest North River Drive as investigators worked to determine how the woman ended up in the water.
Witnesses reported seeing her with a man moments before the incident. That man was seen being placed in handcuffs and escorted from the scene.
Police say the two knew each other, but have not confirmed whether any arrests have been made or what charges could be filed.
Authorities said they continue to treat the man as a person of interest as part of an ongoing investigation.
Editor’s note: Miami police initially said the woman died, but a spokesperson for the agency later confirmed Tuesday afternoon that she is still alive and “may be on life support.”
