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Elisha Page / AP
An excavator is used to break up a sheet of ice on the Big Sioux River, below the falls at Falls Park Friday, March 15, 2013.
Emergency crews searched Friday for the bodies of a man and woman who jumped into the icy waters of the Big Sioux River in South Dakota to save a six-year-old child before the two were swept off by the raging current themselves.
The boy is safe, but Sioux Falls authorities said on Friday morning that the effort to find the two adults is now considered a recovery and no longer a rescue mission.
The two jumped into the river near Sioux Falls around 6 p.m. local time on Thursday after the young boy fell in, according to local NBC affiliate KDLT.
Police identified the young boy as Garrett Wallace of Vermillion, S.D. at a Friday afternoon press conference, according to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. The woman was identified as the boy’s 16-year-old sister Madison Wallace, and the man as Lyle Eagletail of Sioux Falls, the local paper reported.
“By the time I got there he was already in there and they had him by the arm,” Napoleon Ducheneaux, a friend of the man who dove in, told KDLT.
“They had the kid in his arm and he slipped and fell. And then not too long after that, the kid popped up a little bit to the right and climbed up the rocks by himself," he added.
The two rescuers found themselves in trouble.
“I heard him and the woman talking. He said something like, ‘You hold on to me, I’ll hold on to you.’ And I kept telling them to come to my voice,” Ducheneaux told KDLT.
The two then slipped under the water, Ducheneaux said.
Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Chief Jim Sideras said a crane might be brought in to help rescue workers in the icy river.
"We have some issues with very thick ice that we are trying to address. We also have a high flow of water because of ice melting," he said.
"We have a lot of foam. We have on the scene crews who are trained in swift water rescue and ice rescue. We also have on site a dive team. Because of the thickness of the ice, it's not possible for that team to go in. We are still doing search patterns," he added.
Sideras told KDLT that the boy was safe with family members. “I was with him and he’s with family members, and he’s doing fine,” Sideras said.
A search is still underway for two missing rescuers who jumped into freezing water in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to save a six-year old boy. The boy is now safe at home.
This story was originally published on Fri Mar 15, 2013 6:42 AM EDT
Leave a Comment:
So strange how this always seems to happen all too often.
The rescuers die, and the victim seems to walk away.
This is a good example of how it doesn't matter how strong you are. The 6 yr old gets out safe while the two adults didn't make it...
What a terrible shame. RIP guys.... Everyone knows you gave your lives trying...
It sounds like the two rescuers played a vital role in helping the little boy survive.By grabbing onto his arm, allowing him to get some support,and closer to the bank of the river.Regardless how brief that grip lasted. As the scriptures state, greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his neighbor/friend. God speed home, into the arms of those who have gone before those who were willing to sacrifice all.These two caring, dedicated people who sought to save this child. Grant peace to those mourning for their loved ones lost.
How touching to see people care about others in the world, with stories like this,and reacting so promptly still. I'm sure many have heard,"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions", well so is "the road to Heaven", when sincere efforts are made.
gm Creek Dog, Windy
Unfortunately, this is all too often the case. We see it in "confined space" accidents in the construction industry. There are usually at least two fatalities: the person who went into a confined space without checking the atmosphere, and the first person to try a rescue.
GM WDS & Bill. Saw more on the tube, it's a mess. Foam about 6 ft. deep, can't even see the river or how much ice is even there. They talk about removing the foam but I don't know if they will get ahead of the build up. With the ice from the spray & mist you can imagine how slippery the rocks were/are. Peace and good luck to you both.
Eagletail. It doesn't say so in the article, but his last name suggests he might be Native American.... you know, one of the "drunk Indians" joked about on the CBS "Mike and Molly" show last week and which CBS refuses to issue and apology for.
Another news site said both the sister and Mr. Eagletail most likely played a part in allowing the six year old to survive his fall into the water. May their Spirits rest in peace.
Good evening Mimi-you are correct he is Native. I spoke to a Grandmother and said he is a hero, she said he chose his time to die.
Thank you, stonepipe.
I will forward this information to CBS so they can add his name to the list of "drunken Indians" they are making fun of.
He has walked on, and rests, with honor, with the Spirits of his Ancestors.
Hats off, Mimi. I am sorry about the insults and never cared for that show. They found the sister yesterday, The Brave is still in the river. Peace.
Why was the 6 year old even allowed that close to a raging river in the first place? I am saddened at the loss of life once again but I really do wonder why any person would allow a small child to be near anything as dangerous as a rushing river, much less with ice still covering it.
The dangers are all around us folks, keep your kids close to you and away from dangers like this with spring upon us all.My condolences to this family and there friends and to the rescuers as well but I wish they had just waited for help to arrive after they had the child out of the water.
Poor buggers.
What a sad and tragic story.
Crap. We finally got a taste of spring on the Prairie yesterday, and look what happens. GMUS
I live in Sioux Falls where this happened. It was such a gorgeous day out, perfect for going down to Falls Park and walking on the rocks near falls. I can't honestly remember this ever happening before. I'm thankful that the little boy is safe. Everyone is in my prayers.
Lucky little boy.
Two nice people lost.
Betcha they were NOT illegal aliens!
Bet they weren't gun nuts, either.
(Moxiepie)- Please crawl back into your racist hole.
So what are you saying -- illegal aliens wouldn't try to save their own (or any other) kid?
P I G -- YOU are a FINE example of why I support On-Demand Abortion.
They probably saved the little boys life. Heroes to me. God speed.
Moxiepie, I can see no reason for your final, mean-spirited line.
Why even say that? Pretty racist comment that had no purpose here.
I think when adults die saving a child or men die saving a woman, that is the highest expression of the selflishness that pervades cultures that I define as "civilized". Cultures where this would be considered foolish (i.e. who would ever risk death to save a stranger?), I define as "barbaric". This story makes me proud to be a member of the American culture. Note culture is not government or politics, culture is where we all agree that killing is evil, stealing is bad, helping old people with their groceries is good and trying to save these kids is heroic. If we back-burnered big vs small government, income redistribution, gun control and maybe abortion, we might be able to talk to each other without hating again. I hope. Anyway, these people are heros, pure and simple.
Great comment-(I think) I agree. But just for the sake of other readers, please allow me to correct "selflishness." I think what you meant here was selflessness, however I may be incorrect. Selfishness versus selflessness gives the comment two different meanings. Not meaning to be critical-I just want everyone to understand your intended comment so you don't end up with a rude response because of something you did not intend to say in the first place.
Sioux Falls Police Chief Doug Barthel released the names of the three individuals who went into the Big Sioux River at Falls Park. 6-year-old Garrett Martin Wallace, of Vermillion, fell into the river around six o'clock on Thursday evening. His sister, 16-year-old Madison Leigh Wallace of Vermillion, and 28-year-old Lyle Francis Eagle Tail of Sioux Falls, attempted to save the boy. Both Madison Wallace and Lyle Eagle Tail are still missing.
Stacee, I hope no one says that if it's your loved one that needs rescued.
Prayers for the two heroes, the child and their families.
What a tragic story. At least the kid made it. God bless the young man and teen age girl who lost the lives in the attempt to save the kid. Very disturbing. Life is precious. Death sucks!
I am moved to tears by the heroism of those two people.
Whenever I hear a story like this, I am inspired to be a better person -- in part to honor the fallen, and in part because I don't want their deaths to be in vain.
Lives lost trying to save another -- their families can be proud of their efforts.
Prayers for all.
Requiescat in pace, Madison and Lyle.
So sad for these families. It wasn't a "woman" it was his 16yr old sister who jumped in after him first.
I hope that little boy grows up to do something wonderful with his life and makes his family and the family of that young man very proud.
A very tragic end for two heros. May the rest in peace.
Madison, Everyone at school really is taking it hard. I know I am. I really feel horrible. I miss seeing you at school. It's really hard when you have a personal bond with the girl. I love you Madison<3 I'm, so sorry this had to happen to you.
This is always the way. The original victim walks away and the would be rescuers become the new victims.
Well the boy who fell was saved and is Safe now. But it is a Tragedy for the two persons who jumped in the river to save the boy. It is quite possible that they may be swept by the currents and may be rescued in some other place along the river OR else it is quite possible that they gave up their lives trying to save the boy. May God Bless them. Such Bravehearts and Kind Souls are found in the USA. GOD Bless the Americans. GOD BLESS THE USA.
Kevin Valentine Moraes
Mira Road (Thane)