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Posted: Monday, 29 June 2009 9:47AM
Lifeguards rescue three boaters in Evanston
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EVANSTON (STNG) -- Emergency personnel rescued three people from Lake Michigan Sunday after their boat drifted away when they jumped in the water to rescue their dog Sunday night in north suburban Evanston.Evanston fire personnel quickly assembled resources and the three teenagers treaded water for close to 25 minutes before help arrived.
The three, as well as their dog, were pulled from the water and placed on the city's recreation department's water rescue boat and then transferred to a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, Evanston Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky said.
Fire officials were waiting before releasing the names of the three, who were examined on shore and released.
Emergency dispatchers received a call a little after 6 p.m. Sunday about three people in the water approximately two and a half miles off Dempster Street, said Berkowsky.
He said there were four people in the boat to start. When the dog jumped from the boat, an 11-year-old girl jumped in after him, he said.
Berkowsky said an older sister and then an older brother jumped in, and the boat floated away with a lone occupant an older female.
He said the woman in the boat called 911 on her cell phone. The three in the water, wearing no vests, treaded water some 25 minutes, Berkowsky said.
"The outcome could have been much, much different if not for quick mobilization to make the rescue," he stressed.
As soon as dispatchers received the call, emergency response was quickly mobilized, he said.
Under changes instituted last year, a number of agencies are now involved in initial water rescue.
Officials mobilized their "wave runners" -- firefighters using jet skis and specially trained in rapid surface rescue -- along with the department's divers.
At the same time, the recreation department's water rescue boat was summoned, as were rescue teams from the city of Chicago (a helicopter unit) and U.S. Coast Guard. The Wilmette dive team was also called to the scene to ensure backup divers were on hand, Berkowsky said.
"The whole idea here is anytime you get somebody in the water a rapid response is critical," Berkowsky said. "And to get the resources as quick as possible" is also key.
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Copyright 2009 STNG Wire, The Chicago Sun-Times. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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