In a remarkable display of bravery and quick thinking, two Conrail railroad workers are being recognized for their heroic actions that saved a man from drowning during a flash flood in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Monday. The incident occurred at the intersection of New Market Road and Lakeview Avenue, an area hit by sudden and severe flooding following intense rainfall. As local authorities responded to emergency calls about vehicles stranded in rising waters, the first people to arrive at the scene were Conrail employees Paul Clawges and Parry Sanders, who were inspecting power lines in the vicinity.
Upon arrival, the two workers immediately noticed a man lying face down in the floodwaters, showing minimal movement and appearing to be in critical condition. Realizing the urgency of the situation, the workers attempted to get the man's attention by calling out to him. When the man became unresponsive and stopped moving, Paul Clawges made the split-second decision to jump into the deep water to initiate a rescue effort, fully aware of the dangers posed by the rapidly flowing current.
“He got in and went to work,” said fellow worker Parry Sanders, recounting the moment Clawges entered the water. “He grabbed the gentleman out with one arm, pulled him aside onto the road, and started performing CPR. Chest compressions, then later, mouth-to-mouth.” Sanders assisted in the rescue while monitoring the scene and ensuring Clawges could carry out the lifesaving procedures effectively. Their teamwork and determination proved vital in reviving the man, who eventually regained consciousness before being taken to a nearby hospital. According to Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler, the man was alert at the time he was transported and is expected to recover thanks to the workers’ swift and selfless response.
The heroic efforts of Clawges and Sanders have not gone unnoticed. Mayor Wahler publicly commended the workers and emphasized the vital role that ordinary citizens often play in emergency situations. “This could have ended much differently if not for the quick action of these two gentlemen,” he said. “Their courage and humanity are examples for all of us.”
Conrail President Brian Gorton also praised Clawges’s actions in a formal statement, calling him “an outstanding employee who cares for his fellow workers and community.” Gorton highlighted Clawges’s bravery, saying, “He demonstrated extraordinary courage when he rushed into flash floodwaters to perform a life-saving rescue and CPR on an individual in distress. He is truly a hero amongst us.”
In a time when dangerous weather conditions and natural disasters are becoming more frequent, stories like this bring to light the importance of community awareness and individual readiness to step up when lives are at stake. The area around New Market Road and Lakeview Avenue has been prone to waterlogging and flooding in past storms, but the extent of flooding on Monday was unusually severe, catching many residents off guard. Emergency services were stretched thin across the township, making the early presence of the Conrail workers all the more crucial in this rescue effort.
As weather patterns continue to shift and flash floods become a more common threat across urban areas in New Jersey, local officials are reminding residents to avoid flooded roads and stay informed through real-time alerts. In this case, a life was saved not just through emergency services but by the decisive intervention of everyday workers doing their jobs who didn’t hesitate to act.
The community of Piscataway has expressed overwhelming gratitude to Clawges and Sanders, who have become symbols of heroism in the wake of the storm. While they humbly return to their daily duties, their actions have left a lasting impact on a grateful town and a family who narrowly avoided tragedy.
As the rescued individual continues recovery in the hospital, authorities and Conrail leadership plan to formally recognize the workers with commendations. Their heroism is a reminder that extraordinary acts of courage often come from ordinary people who simply refuse to stand by when someone is in need.
