Neighbors in Philadelphia cheered as rescuers pulled a man out alive who'd purposely jumped into the sewer and then got sucked down Friday afternoon.
The 46-year-old man removed a storm drain that covered an 18-inch pipe and leapt in. Suction from rushing water below pulled him down about 10 feet.[[388725761,C]]
Emergency crews worked for several hours at the intersection of 9th and Pike Streets in the Hunting Park neighborhood of Philadelphia in what the fire commissioner called a difficult environment filled with sewage and water.
"Very challenging incident. Very difficult rescue." Commissioner Adam Thiel said. "It was very dark so they have to deploy all these specialized techniques with all this specialized equipment."[[388718012,C]]
Rescuers had to ventilate the area due to toxic and flammable gasses before they climbed down a ladder to reach the man.
The victim was in stable condition at Temple hospital. Rescue workers had to decontaminate.
The police department and water department workers assisted in the rescue.
"This is what we do... All of us working for you every day," Thiel said.[[388709151,C]]
HATFIELD, Pa. -- Dozens of people braved the heat late Friday afternoon, standing in a grassy area outside the K’NEX factory in Hatfield, Pennsylvania as Hillary Clinton continued her bus tour following a campaign rally at Temple University.
The crowd, made up mostly of parents and children, was overwhelmingly pro-Hillary, and seemed excited at the chance to see the Democratic presidential candidate following her tour of K’NEX.
Dave McDowell, 74, of Hilltown Township, stood out from the crowd however. He was one of the few people actually standing in the shade rather than directly in the sun. He also held up a sign that was in stark contrast to the pro-Hillary messages of support.
It was a mock check that read, “Special Offer: $Buy-Hillary $1,000,000 +No Sence.”
McDowell wasn’t the first person in the crowd that we spoke with but he was one of the first to come up to us.
“You guys probably won’t talk to me,” McDowell said with a slight grin.
After seeing his sign, I knew that I had to. McDowell, who informed me that he was a local business owner, was more than happy to explain what the “check” meant.
“Hillary has been caught by a number of people and she has done favors for a number of people while she was in power,” McDowell said. “And if anybody wants a favor they can just send a note. Hillary, a million dollars, and it says, “no sence” on there. That’s referring to Hillary.”
McDowell continued to explain his issues with Clinton.
“She’s an insider,” he said. “She has all the friends in Washington that you’ll ever meet. Washington will never shrink if she’s elected. The government has gotten too big.”
McDowell said he plans on voting for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
“I’ll be voting for Trump,” he said. “Not because I’m a great supporter of his but I just feel that you can’t do much worse than what’s been happening in this past administration and the new administration to come if it’s Hillary.”
McDowell admitted Trump was flawed though he believed some of the criticism he’s received, especially from liberals, has been overblown.
“Some of the remarks that he makes are kind of stupid and some of the remarks are also on the moment,” he said. “To me, they're funny. To the Left, they're disgraceful.”
McDowell said he was drawn to Trump for two main reasons; his experience as a businessman and his reputation as a political outsider.
“I was a businessman for many years and worked hard,” McDowell said. “From my perspective, being in the business world and working super hard, you try and stay ahead of things. I just don't like super politicians.”
According to McDowell, Clinton is a politician in the worst possible way.
“I don't trust her because of the things she's done in the past and I don't trust her because she's just another insider,” he said. “It goes through her husband. Unfortunately, he was not a bad president but he was not, how should I say it, the nicest of people. They’ve become such an inside family and if you go and speak for $250,000 in a meeting, those people expect something from you. She owes people so many favors."
Despite his strong stance, McDowell said he received no animosity from the pro-Clinton crowd during Friday’s campaign event. That certainly was not due to a lack of passion from Clinton’s supporters who were in attendance however, as evidenced by Michele McClure. The 61-year-old Northeast Philadelphia native and mother of two who currently resides in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, said her own experience as a woman making historic strides in a male-dominated field is what made her feel connected to Clinton.
“I was one of the first female officers in the 82nd Airborne Division,” McClure said. “I am looking forward to saluting the commander and chief.”
McClure served from 1977 to 1983. It was also during her service when she met her husband Randal Nonemaker, who served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1976. Nonemaker was by his wife’s side during Friday’s campaign event.
“I know a good man when I see him,” McClure said with a smile.
Unlike McDowell, McClure believes Trump’s experience as a businessman makes him unfit to run the country.
“He cannot function, given his background, as a commander and chief,” she said. “Hillary can. It’s not a business. He doesn’t know how to work with the three branches of government. All he can say is ‘you’re fired!’ This is not an oligarchy. He’s in for a real awakening. Welcome to the real world Donald. He has never functioned in the government.”
McClure also addressed the supporters of Bernie Sanders, some of whom remain angry not only by the fact that Clinton secured the Democratic nomination but also by the recent leak of emails suggesting the Democratic party showed a bias towards Clinton over Sanders.
“To the Bernie Sanders people, I really understand where you’re coming from,” she said. “But we have got to beat Trump and come together now. I totally can identify with them, I relate to them, but right now we have a common goal, objective and mission. And that is to beat Trump.”
Her message seemed to resonate with Alex Wilczewski, a 20-year-old Arcadia University student, who also attended Friday's campaign event.
“I’m actually a Bernie supporter but the way I see it, Trump is a million times worse [than Hillary],” Wilczewski said. “This man’s a lunatic. I’ve seen my little cousin throwing a tantrum and he makes more reasonable demands and at least those are demands we can deliver.”
Wilczewski claimed a Trump presidency could potentially impact both him and his friends.
“I have Muslim friends, Indian friends, Hispanic friends, people who’ve immigrated from Mexico that I know and I think of the idea of what can happen to them,” he said. “Then I think of my culture after that. I’m Jewish, so who knows, if he gets his way, if he puts all these restrictions, bans on the Muslims, it’s going to be the Jews next.”
Wilczewski also believes Trump’s rhetoric could damage international relations and ultimately, his own future plans.
“What’s going to happen to my future?” he asked. “I want to go into the video game industry. I want to be able to travel abroad. What’s going to happen if countries start putting bans on us? Spain still has some ties to Mexico in some way. What happens if Trump is so harsh on Mexico that there’s this movement in Spain and they completely block us from going there? I want to work in Spain. Just because Trump threw a hissy fit and destroyed diplomatic relations, that’s going to screw over the entire next generation.”
Wilczewski said his biggest fear is that Trump will actually follow up on some of his more controversial statements.
“Do I believe that Trump is serious about everything he says? No, but he could be pressured into making it happen,” Wilczewski said. “He’s already gone too far to back down on what he said. And even if he doesn’t believe it himself anymore, he’s gonna have to go through with it or his own people are going to turn against him. I don’t want my friends to be ridiculed and sent away. I don’t want myself to lose opportunities and I don’t want this country to become something I’m ashamed to admit.”
Despite his strong stance against Trump, Wilczewski also admitted to being a bit apprehensive about Clinton.
“I don’t necessarily always trust Hillary,” he said. “I trust her to do the right thing but I don’t necessarily trust her to reveal when she’s made a mistake.”
Yet Wilczewski still plans on supporting her at the polls in November.
“Trump, I fear. Hillary, I sort of am intrigued, I want to see where it goes," he said. "I’m voting for someone who I don’t think necessarily is going to do the best job but she’s gonna do a better job than anybody else I see right now who’s still in the race.”
Whether it be to personally call her out, finally meet an inspiration or gain a greater sense of trust in her, McDowell, McClure and Wilczewski all appeared to be anxious to see Clinton Friday. A slight sense of disappointment could be felt from them and the rest of the crowd when they only caught a glimpse of Clinton’s bus and not the nominee herself as she left K’NEX. It was a strangely comforting hint of commonality among the three individuals who hold drastically different views on Clinton, Trump and the political process as a whole. Whether that commonality will grow or weaken for the three and voters nationwide as November 8 draws near, remains to be seen.
NBC10's Vince Lattanzio and David Chang are on the road with the Clinton-Kaine campaign as they tour Pennsylvania and Ohio by bus. Follow their travels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and NBC10.com to get dispatches from the trail and behind the scenes views of what it's like to cover a presidential campaign.
A water main break sent water and mud onto the busy Roosevelt Boulevard overnight.
The 12-inch main broke around 2:30 a.m. Saturday in the northbound outer lanes by Levick Street, said Philadelphia firefighters.
The break buckled the roadway and blocked all northbound lanes of Route 1 for about an hour. It continued to block the outer lanes after daybreak.
The Philadelphia Water Department shut off the main and began repairs. As of mid-afternoon, the outer lanes remained closed and crews expected to continue working for several hours.
No injuries were reported and no water appeared to get into nearby homes but it did impact a nearby Dunkin' Donuts.
HARRISBURG -- Ann Knaus stood on the brick stoop of her Midtown Harrisburg rowhome Friday night, chatting with friends and sipping wine out of a red solo cup.
Dozens of people milled by, stepping through the fading shadows of satellite trucks parked in the middle of Verbeke Street.
One hundred yards away, the first woman nominated for president by a major political party will shortly step up to a podium and deliver a speech to thousands of excited supporters.
"It’s amazing," the 50-year-old former political staffer said.
Ann’s home is closest to the hottest ticket in the state’s capital tonight and she and her husband, Kurt, have thrown a party to mark the occasion.
Really, it’s not everyday that Hillary Clinton is standing on your block.
“It’s just an honor to be a part of what’s going down right now,” said Ann, a registered Democrat.
But that doesn’t mean she’s ‘with her.’
"Hillary hasn’t convinced me yet," Ann said. She wrote in former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg during the primary.
Creating jobs is most important to Ann. Her work contract recently ended leaving her unemployed.
"I want to see really good jobs for educated women like myself,” she said.
Clinton’s bus tour through Pennsylvania and Ohio this weekend is designed to highlight her jobs plan. Unveiled during the Democratic National Convention, Clinton vows to put people to work on infrastructure projects, promote green energy, cultivate high-tech manufacturing by providing $10 billion in incentives and support small businesses.
The party turned out bigger than expected, he said, with 40 people showing up. Many were Democrats, but a few Republicans stopped by to witness history.
Elaine Rubb said she cried this morning watching Clinton’s acceptance speech. She changed plans to make sure she was at the Knaus’ party.
"The next potential president of the United States? Who wouldn’t come,” she said.
"As a woman, it’s exciting."
Kurt handed out Philly soft pretzels as guests drank beer and sat in plastic chairs on the sidewalk.
"I’ve been in the city 20 years and we’ve never had an event like this on our block,” Kurt said.
Thousands packed the neighborhood to try and see Clinton speak around 8:30 Friday night. Many were disappointed as the cramped square where she delivered her remarks quickly filled. Some crained their necks and held children on their shoulders to catch a distant glimpse of Clinton.
Others gave up and went home before Clinton even took the podium complaining about the venue choice.
The Knaus’ weren’t upset about, the noise, traffic or disruption. “We’re just drinking wine and having fun tonight," said Ann.
NBC10's Vince Lattanzio and David Chang are on the road with the Clinton-Kaine campaign as they tour Pennsylvania and Ohio by bus. Follow their travels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and NBC10.com to get dispatches from the trail and behind the scenes views of what it's like to cover a presidential campaign.
At 9 on Wednesday morning, Sam Ojserkis, Glenn Ochal, Steve Kasprzyk and the rest of the U.S. Men's Eight Rowing Team just finished practice in Princeton. New Jersey.
"We had practice from 7 to 9, and then we have it again at 5 tonight," Ochal told NBC10 as the team made final preps ahead of the Rio Olympics. "It’s actually been kind of easier, we have more time on our hands now than we usually do."
Ochal -- a Philly native -- stands 6-foot, 4-inches tall. Boat-mate Kasprzyk -- a Cinnaminson, New Jersey native -- stands 6-foot, 7-inches, while Ojserkis -- a Linwood, New Jersey native -- stands just 5-foot, 8-inches.
Ojserkis played almost every sport growing up, but says he was never a standout.
"I was a shrimp, I’m a small guy," Ojserkis said with a laugh.
But now, Ojserkis is calling the shots for the big guys in Rio. He’s the coxswain for the Men’s Eight Rowing Team competing in the Olympics. Ojserkis headed to Rio on Friday with his teammates including Princeton University’s Ochal and Drexel University’s Kasprzyk.
"I’m excited to represent myself and my family, but also my city," said Ochal, who win a bronze while rowing on the Men's Four in 2012. Kasprzyk, also returns to the Olympics after a fourth place finish on the Men's Eight in London.
The three, along with the other five boat members, have spent years preparing for Rio. In the days before the Games they looked to put in the final work and recovery time needed to medal in Rio.
"Practice, practice, practice," Ojserkis said, with Ochal adding in that they do eat, sleep, and recover in between practices.
The men have one goal: gold.
"You don’t grow up hoping to win a bronze medal," Ojserkis said. “You grow up wanting to win the whole thing.”
Ochal agrees, saying the team needs to put all of their energy and focus into just that one day in Rio.
"You can do it on a Tuesday in July in Princeton, but it’s that one day in August in Brazil that matters," he said.
A fire truck hit a dirt bike rider in Wilmington, Delaware Saturday, sending the victim to the hospital.
Video of the accident at 4th and Van Buren Streets shows the dirt bike crushed under the bed of the bed of the truck right behind the front wheels.
The accident happened around 1:40 p.m.
The victim's identity hasn't been released. They were taken to Christiana Medical Center with serious injuries, according to initial reports.
A Flash Flood Warning is up until 8 p.m. for central Mercer County where up to four inches of rain was expected to fall, according to the National Weather Service.
A cluster of thunderstorms has already dumped two inches of rain, causing flooding in multiple locations across the county, including Princeton's campus.
The warning extended to south central Somerset County and west central Middlesex County as well. Areas expected to get hit hardest include: South Brunswick, Ewing, Princeton, Princeton Junction, Rocky Hill, Kendall Park, Plainsboro Center, Lawrenceville, Edinburg, Kingston, Princeton Meadows, Mercerville-Hamilton-Hamilton Square, Monmouth Junction and Heathcote.
Nassau Street Seafood in Princeton tried to make the best of it, inviting people to stop in and stay dry.
Departures at Philly International were running on average, two hours behind due to weather.
Do not drive into water where you can't see the road. Turn Around. Don't Drown. Flood waters may be deeper than you think.
A block in University City has a new memorial after a dedication ceremony honored the memory of a young student who lost his life in 1958.
Republican Councilman David Oh hosted a ceremony to name the 3600 block of Hamilton Street as "In-Ho Oh Memorial Way" to commemorate the death of his cousin, In-ho Oh, in 1958 and his family’s response asking for lenient treatment for their son’s killers.
A top graduate of Seoul National University, In-Ho Oh came to Philadelphia to study at Eastern College and the University of Pennsylvania and hoped to return to Korea to serve his nation as a "Christian Statesman." On April 28, 1958, In-Ho Oh, who lived in the 3600 block, stepped outside his uncle’s apartment to mail a letter when he was assaulted by a group of 11 teenagers and beaten to death.
After his death, founder of Philadelphia’s first Korean American Church, Ki Hang Oh, established the "In-Ho Oh Memorial Korea Center" which provided social, religious, educational, and charitable services until 2006. Among the center’s board members was Mayor Richardson Dilworth, who established the "Mayor’s In-Ho Oh Memorial Scholarship" to provide a Korean University of Penn student full tuition.
In-Ho Oh’s parents were in Korea at the time of their son’s death, but their response to the killing stands out. NBC News obtained a copy of a letter written by In-Ho Oh’s parents, Ki Byang Oh and his mother Shin Wynn H. Oh, expressing disbelief in the loss, but no rage.
"We are sad now, not only because of In Ho’s unachieved future, but also because of the unsaved souls and paralyzed human nature of the murderers," the letter reads. "Our family has met together and we have decided to petition that the most generous treatment possible within the laws of your government be given to those who have committed this criminal action without knowing what it would mean to him who has been sacrificed, to his family, to his friends, to his county … Our whole family has decided to save money to start a fund to be used for the religious, educational, vocational, and social guidance of the boys when they are released."
NBC News reports that Councilman David Oh believes his cousin’s story "coincides with a real need in our nation today for understanding among our different communities" and his story shows that "forgiveness worked then, and can also work today."
You could own a truck driven by one of the best players in the MLB.
The first car of Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout is being auctioned off in Atlantic City.
Trout's parents bought him a pickup truck in 2007, when he was a junior at Millville High School in New Jersey.[[388760522,C,600,405]]
He bought a new car after he was drafted by the Angels and sold the truck to the parents of his now-fiancee. They gave it to their youngest son, who has also been drafted by the Angels. So hey... maybe it's a lucky truck?
The families decided to auction it off at the National Sports Collectors Convention on Thursday. Trout autographed the outside of the glove compartment.[[388760562,C,600,380]]
The truck is expected to sell for around $15,000. The opening bid is $5,000 on GoldinAuctions.com
Trout was baseball's MVP in 2014.
Heavy rains Saturday into Sunday and more rain expected prompted authorities to issue a flood advisory and flash flood warning throughout the Greater Philadelphia area for Sunday.
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Sunday's early advisory lasted until 7:15 a.m. and covered Burlington, Camden and Mercer counties in New Jersey, as well as Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania.
A flash flood warning will remain in effect until 11 a.m. for portions of Burlington and Ocean counties in New Jersey. Flood advisories will also remain in effect until 11:45 a.m. for portions of the same counties.
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Parts of the Jersey Shore were hit hard, including Ortley Beach near Seaside Heights, where viewer video showed a car stuck in a flooded intersection.
The nearby Ocean County Airport reported it received more than 5 inches of rain in Saturday's storms.
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The wet weather also caused problems early Sunday on I-76 in Philadelphia, where water pooled on the highway causing lane restrictions and was likely to blame for at least one crash that temporarily shut down the road.
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Periods of heavy and spotty rain are expected to continue throughout the morning, with a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms returning in the afternoon and early evening.
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Stay with NBC10.com and the NBC10 app for up-to-the-minute coverage of storms in your neighborhood.
