Above / Note the rapid movement in this still photo of the DuPage River after excessive rainfall. Local officials advise taking precautions until water levels are back to normal.
Caution! Swift water rescue in 1200 block of Washington St. on June 18
For the second time in less than 12 hours, the Naperville Fire Department responded to and affected the rescue of an individual on the DuPage River. This is the third water rescue incident in two days.
This most recent incident took place on the DuPage River in the 1200 block of South Washington St.
At 7:48PM the Naperville Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) dispatched companies to the report of a person clinging to a tree in the DuPage River. The PSAP dispatcher immediately dispatched a Special Rescue Response bringing one Engine, one Truck, one Rescue Squad, two Ambulances, two Shift Commanders, the Naperville Water Rescue team, and water rescue teams from the Bolingbrook Fire Department, the Lisle Woodridge Fire Department, the Downers Grove Fire Department, and the Aurora Fire Department Fire Department units arrived on the scene at 7:53PM and discovered a 58-year-old male clinging to a tree surrounded by fast moving currents.
Fire Department support personnel positioned a safety line downstream while the Swift Water Rescue Swimmers entered the water to access the patient who appeared to be hypothermic. The victim was removed from the water safely at approximately 8:17PM. The victim was evaluated on the scene by Naperville Fire Department Paramedics and was released without injury.
According to a witness, the victim had entered the water at Pioneer Park in an inflatable canoe and when he failed to arrive at the designated landing area the witness immediately alerted authorities. The victim was not wearing a personal flotation device.
No firefighters were injured as a result of this incident.
Early Afternoon swift water rescue 95th St. and Eagle Brook Lane on June 18
For the second time in as many days, the Naperville Fire Department responded to and rescued teenagers who ventured out onto the rain swollen DuPage River. The latest incident took place on the DuPage River just southeast of the intersection of 95th Street and Eagle Brook Lane.
At approximately 1:07PM the Naperville Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) received a call from a motorist that noticed 3 kids that appeared to be trapped on an island in the DuPage River as he was driving past. The PSAP dispatcher immediately dispatched a Special Rescue Response bringing one Engine, one Truck, one Rescue Squad, two Ambulances, two Shift Commanders, the Naperville Water Rescue team, and water rescue teams from the Bolingbrook Fire Department, the Lisle Woodridge Fire Department, and the Downers Grove Fire Department.
Fire Department units arrived on the scene at 1:12PM and discovered 3 teenagers that appeared to be in no distress but trapped on an island waist deep in water surrounded by fast moving currents. Swift Water Rescue Technicians stationed downstream rescue swimmers as a safety precaution and deployed two rescue crafts to affect the rescues.
All victims were removed from the water safely at approximately 2:06PM. The three victims were evaluated on the scene by Naperville Fire Department Paramedics and were released without injury. Two of the three victims were equipped with personal flotation devices.
No firefighters were injured as a result of this incident.
“In a flooding situation such as this, going into the water can be a matter of life or death. We encourage all people to stay away from all bodies of water until they are back to normal,” said Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis. “What can look like a fun and exciting adventure is truly a life threatening matter.”
Water Safety Reminders for Residents
With rainfall expected to continue throughout the week, the City of Naperville wants to remind residents to take safety precautions during excessive rainfall.
During times like this, it is essential to keep a few important safety tips in mind:
- Stay out of all flood waters, rivers, and retention ponds; trying to navigate the fast moving, debrisfilled flood waters can lead to risky rescue situations or tragic circumstances.
- Avoid skin contact with the flood water because it can be contaminated.
- Move to high ground if you find yourself in an area where water is flooding.
- Do not attempt to drive on a flooded road, even if it appears to be shallow.
- Do not park near a stream, river or place that could easily flood.
- The best thing you can do is avoid flooded areas and pay attention to flood watches and warnings.
If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Submitted by Andrew Dina, Community Services Bureau Chief, Naperville Fire Department
