Des Plaines river

5 Officers Plunge Into Frigid Des Plaines River While Trying to Save Woman

Five cops went onto the ice to try to save a woman, but they fell into the river, fire officials said

At least six people, including five police officers, were taken to local hospitals after they fell into the Des Plaines River while trying to save a woman on Sunday evening.

According to the Schiller Park Fire Department, a person was reported to be in the water around 6:15 p.m. Sunday.

“I don’t know if she was walking on the path or jogging not he path but you can get going for a good distance and all of a sudden it gets flooded out in an area that can be 200 feet wide and you just wind up in the water,” said Deputy Chief Joe DeSimone.

Schiller Park police officers arrived on the scene, following the victims' footprints and saw a woman in distress near the water, and when they tried to rescue her, they broke through the ice and fell into the water themselves.

Moments later, firefighters donned water rescue suits and were able to rescue all four Schiller Park officers, another from the Village of Norridge and the woman from the frigid water, and immediately taken to area hospitals.

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The identities of the individuals have not been released yet.

DeSimone stressed that in these weather conditions, one can get hypothermia in 10 to 30 minutes.

“Everyone as far as I know was doing okay,” said DeSimone. “I have not gotten an update on the female victim but she appeared to be okay.”

Authorities are asking winter walkers and joggers to be careful, reminding the public that playing anywhere near ponds or rivers can be dangerous.

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