Above/ After a week of downpours, the DuPage River is rushing, rushing, rushing at a much higher level than normal. For everybody’s safety, stay off it this weekend. Spread the word to folks who like to canoe or kayak. Thanks.
Swift Water Rescue 1200 block of S. Washington St.
For an unprecedented fourth time in three days, the Naperville Fire Department Water Rescue Team was called to action on the DuPage River.
At 2:53PM Friday, June 19, 2015, the Naperville Public Answering Point (PSAP) dispatched companies to a report of two adult kayakers and a pet dog stranded in the east branch of the DuPage River just south of the foot bridge. The caller was one of the kayakers who stated that they launched at Pioneer Park and were headed downstream when they capsized and became entangled in branches.
Surrounded by tree limbs and swift moving water they had no safe way to navigate to shore.
The 9-1-1 call taker 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, Lisle Woodridge, Downers Grove and Aurora Fire Departments. Fire department units arrived within five minutes and made verbal contact with the victims. Swift water rescue swimmers deployed into the river with a safety line while additional support personnel positioned a safety line downstream.
The victims, a husband and wife in their fifties were guided to shore by the swift water swimmers and were evaluated at the scene by the Naperville Fire Department Paramedics. The kayakers including their dog were wearing proper personal flotation devices.
No firefighters were injured as a result of this incident.
The Naperville Fire Department urges all residents and visitors to remain off of the DuPage River until it returns to its normal level.
Submitted by Rick Sander, Deputy Chief, Naperville Fire Department
