The quick actions of two Chicago citizens very well may have saved the life of a Tinley Park man as he nearly drowned Tuesday in Orland Park's Lake Sedgewick, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Mackenzie Smith, a 16-year-old from Orland Park, along with a 21-year-old man from Bridgeview reportedly rushed to the aid of the drowning man when they heard his cries for help, the report said.
Smith, who had been picnicking with some friends nearby, said that she heard his yells as she and her friends were setting up for the picnic and quickly ran over to help, according to theTribune,
"He was pretty much in the middle of the lake," Smith explained to the Tribune. "I just knew that I needed to help him because the police weren't that close at the time, so I just knew I needed to do something."
She and the Bridgeview man both jumped into the lake to pull the man out, and one of her friends called the police, the report said.
When Smith reached the man he apologized for not being able to swim, and when they were finally able to pull him onto shore he was unconscious, said the report
It was at that point that Smith realized the man was completely naked and holding only a rosary, the report said.
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"I don't know what was going through his mind," Smith said to the Tribune. "It's a mystery."
The man was taken immediately to Palos Community Hospital, where, according to the Tribune, he is still being treated. His injuries are not life-threatening.
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