The rescue mission took LPD and LFD about an hour to perform.

An unidentified black male was rescued from the Erie Canal near South Transit Street around 8:15 p.m., after jumping in around 7:15 p.m.

A person who identifed herself as a friend of the male said he jumped in on his own. She said he was depressed.

Lockport Police and Fire departments assembled en masse behind Aarons rental. Officers Mike Stover and Toby Trowbridge got into the canal near South Transit Street and assisted the male, holding him near the canal's south wall until he could be extracted.

The assembly appeared to attempt different ways of getting the male out of the canal but finally around 8 p.m., a police boat arrived. The male was assisted into the boat and taken away, presumably to the boat launch near the Stevens Street Bridge.

About 100 people gathered on the Big Bridge to watch the rescue effort and most applauded when the police boat arrived.

NOTE: Story updated at 8:29 p.m. to include details and photos.

MORE PHOTOS: Check out ENP's photo album from tonight's rescue.

The gathered crowd cheered when the male was safely taken away in an LPD boat.