90-year-old meets her rescuers after harrowing pond plunge in Illinois
Champaign: On a stormy afternoon in August, an elderly driver lost control of her vehicle as it plunged into a flooded retention pond on the 1900 block of North Prospect Avenue in Champaign.
With the car sinking up to its roof in the downpour, multiple local community members immediately swam out to help, joined by four members of the Champaign Police Department (CPD).
The 90-year-old woman was successfully rescued amid the storm. On September 29th, the rescuers were commended for their bravery at a small ceremony.
Three community members who went into the water were recognized with Community Lifesaving Awards, with Champaign Police personnel reading their heroic deeds for their families and friends.
Additionally, four officers who helped pull the driver out of the vehicle were also present, receiving the Chief’s Challenge Coin for setting their safety aside and taking extraordinary measures to keep everyone safe.
The 90-year-old driver also attended the event and thanked the people who helped her reach safety on that harrowing day.
The woman’s son, who identified himself as a US Coast Guard officer in the comment section of a Facebook post from the CPD, thanked everyone involved in the rescue, saying, “I know full well how dangerous rescues can be and commend you for your quick and heroic actions.”
