Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today joined NYPD Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik in honoring members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the United States Park Police for their roles in this morning's rescue of a parachutist on the world-famous Statue of Liberty. The man, as yet unidentified, was arrested after his parachute became entangled in the Statue's torch.

Mayor Giuliani said, "This morning's dramatic rescue at the Statue of Liberty showed the world how the NYPD earns its reputation as New York's Finest. Together with the US Park Police, they performed a daring operation that saved a life, and at the same time helped protect an historic icon dear to people around the world. I join all New Yorkers -- and people around the world -- in recognizing their courageous and heroic actions."

Commissioner Kerik said, "Both the U.S. Park Police and the NYPD officers responsible for this rescue deserve high praise for their efforts. To further his own political purposes, this individual endangered his own life as well as the lives of the officers and every innocent visitor on Liberty Island. Thanks to the courage and skill of these professionals, however, this dangerous and unnecessary situation had a happy ending."

Major Tom Wilkins, New York Field Office Commander for the United States Park Police, said, "It was a cooperative effort on the part of the United States Park Police, the National Park Service, and the NYPD that resulted in the retrieval of this man from his precarious position on the torch. We are grateful that we were able to resolve a situation without any injury or apparent damage."

During the City Hall ceremony, Mayor Giuliani presented certificates of recognition to Police Officer Christopher Ballou and Police Officer Keith Duval of the NYPD's Scuba Team, Harbor Launch 17; and Police Officer Derrick Amalbert of the United States Park Police.

At 9:34 A.M., witnesses observed a person parasailing towards the Statue of Liberty. Moments later his parachute became entangled in the Statue's of Liberty's torch, with the chute draping itself over the torch's flames. Responding to the scene were members of the NYPD's Emergency Services Unit (ESU), the Scuba Team and Aviation Unit, along with the U.S. Park Police.

Ascending to the torch over 300 feet above Liberty Island were officers Ballou and Duval of the NYPD; along with Officer Amalbert, Sgt. Michael Iannelli, and Police Officer Mario Torricella of the United States Park Police. Two ropes were lowered to the parachutist, who in turn attached them to his apparatus, known as a paramotor with a parachute. Once secured, the male was hoisted up and safely onto the torch. The rescue took less than one hour to effect.

The parachutist was arrested and charged on several counts, including reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. There was no apparent damage to the Statue of Liberty on initial inspection. The Statue reopened three hours after the incident.

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