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Subscribe to RSSFour children suffered mild hypothermia after being pulled from the icy waters of a small Illinois lake Thursday afternoon. WMAQ's Dick Johnson reports.
CHICAGO – Four young friends who fell into a frozen pond in Chicago’s northern suburb of Mariner’s Cove have a new hero today -- a rugged dad with a ready smile who didn’t think twice about plunging into ice to rescue one boy.
“I was working on the computer and my kids came in yelling that someone fell through the ice,” Robert George told The Chicago Sun-Times. “So I ran out, dressed in a T-shirt and sweatpants, and saw that two of them were out a ways and two others were closer, and there were some adults trying to throw them a rope.”
According to Chicago's Daily Herald, no one knows how long the 16-year-old boy, 12-year-old girl and two 9-year-old boys were in the frigid water. (There were conflicting reports on the gender and ages of the four children. Except for one, their names have not been made public.)
What they do know is that the four had wandered onto the pond, despite parents’ warnings to stay off the thinning ice.
"I was thinking I was going to die," nine-year-old Ryan Dugan told NBCChicago.com. "The water was up to about my neck and I was trying to doggie-paddle to the shore."
Read NBCChicago.com’s Four Children Rescued from North Suburban Lake
Dugan, a fourth grader, said he had followed the other three onto Third Lake, near Grayslake, shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday when all four broke through the ice and went under. The children were about 50 feet from shore in one direction and about 20 feet away in the other, Grayslake Fire Protection District Lt. Mike Lakins told NBCChicago.com.
Neighbors heard the children cry for help and were able to pull three to safety by using ropes.
“They were saying help us, please help us,” Izabela Stepien, a rescuer, told NBCChicago.com.
But for the fourth boy it was far from over.
“He was out there and he kept saying 'I can’t feel my legs,'” George said. “I just couldn’t stand here. I know I am a good swimmer and I could fight my way through the ice.”
George tied the rope around his waist and forged ahead, grabbing the boy and pulling him to safety.
The children were not hospitalized but were still dealing with mild hypothermia. They also learned a valuable lesson, Dugan said, adding “don’t go onto to thin ice.”
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
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A true, selfless hero!
He absolutely is! I wonder why the other parents didn't jump in after the kids. I sure the heck know that I would have.
Hip Hip Hooraaaay!
"Dugan, a fourth grader, said he had followed the other three onto Third Lake, near Grayslake, shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday when all four broke through the ice and went under."
Lemmings?
Yep, lemmings. Even though you KNOW it is stupid, you do it anyhow because the other kids are doing it and nothing has happened to them.
Yet.
My hat's off to you Mr. Robert George!! Not many people would have done what you did to save this child. Whether you think so or not, you are a hero. Who knows, you may have just saved the next president of the United States or the person to find a cure for cancer.
Many people would do what he did, including myself. The difference is he was successful, a very tough man to stay focused while in freezing water. Water that cold sends the body into shock almost immediately, unless you are used to it.
I would have died I am pretty sure, lol.
Don't underestimate your fellow Americans. There are many good ones left. They are everywhere, right next to you in the grocery store. They just haven't been put to the test yet.
I agree that many would, but you simply have to be in the right place at the right time. Still, that does not take away from what he did. Great job.
You are a true hero and God knows we need more like you these days.
it's people like mr george who are a reminder to the rest of us that there is still humanity left in this scary world
Finally! Some GOOD NEWS on here for a change!
I was about to say the same thing. Too often these end tragically. Well done!
Way to go Super Dad!!!!!
GOD bless him for his brave selfless actions, and saving that boy!! :)
this story brings tears to my eyes but i'm happy that the kids are safe. those cold waters are no joke and i'm glad this story has a happy ending
Nice to see a good story. I know there are many wonderful folks out there who'd have done the same but with the recent bad news we've all been inundated with, its a nice reminder what caring people are still out there.
The others were heros, also, for having the presence of mine to get a rope to the lake! Maybe they couldn't swim ... I can't. But they managed to rescue three so they're heros also!
Well done! And kids: your parents don't tell you not to do something to be mean, it's because we KNOW the dangers! Listen to mom and dad!
They weren't even at the age of invincibility yet.
He was smart to tie the rope around his waist before going. "Reach, throw, row, go with equipment, go. And you never go." Hard to remember that in the moment. Hooray for some good news!
Thank you for doing what needed to be done. We still have a good number of decent people in this country who will do what needs to be done. Thank you, Mr. George. And thank you to the others who responded to help.
Nice going Mr. George! A very selfless act. I am so glad everyone survived. God was with the children and you!!! Nice job. Thank You from a father!
Good job, hero!
To walk out into a lake with a manned rope around your waist is NOT a "hero"...that hallowed term is tossed around these days like a cork on the ocean. Good job, "good samaritan" you did a good thing here, NOT a "heroic" one.!!! Oh, and I fought in 3 front line wars with the Marines, and NO I am NOT a "hero" either...
When you put your life on the line to save others, without self interest...you are a hero. The fact that you have put your life on the line, without concidering your self interest, in the defense of the United States...I would call you a hero as well!
way to piss on the campfire, branxoz. oh, and way to go bringing up your "military service" as well. too hard just to say "nice job" or "way to go" when you have an inferiority issue, huh? oh, but that's right, you pointed out that you're not a hero. how humble of you.
Mr. George, NICE JOB!!! WAY TO GO!!!
Thank you for your bravery and selflessness.THAT,is a hero.Maybe be nice if a local 1%er maybe like,paid his mortgage for a year!