Team Members | Training | Incidents | Dive Rescue Team

Major Incidents

• Dec 28th 2006 – Car drives in retention pond. – A disoriented driver of an automobile lost control and plunged into a retention pond. He was able to self rescue himself and swim to shore, unharmed. The Driver was confused and unsure if anyone else was in the car. Divers searched the submerged vehicle and cleared the car of any other occupants. Divers assisted recovering the car. The driver was transported to St. Joes ER. He was treated,
  released and made a full recovery.

• March 25th – Woman drives truck thru barrier into River- At 3:50 AM. A woman purposely drove her vehicle through a heavy chain link fence into the Des-Plains River. The Downtown incident was witnessed by a fast thinking Joliet Police Officer. The officer immediately went to the water’s edge and convinced the victim to climb out of the vehicle. The officer then used a “throw rope “to pull the woman to safety. Divers recovered the submerged vehicle in 24 ft. of water with no visibility and a strong current. The victim was treated and released for minor injuries and is receiving medical treatment for depression.

• May 11th – Search for missing person (Plainfield, IL.) – The Dive team assisted with the search of a missing female in the Village of Plainfield. IL. The nation wide search was concentrated in a group of retention ponds near where the female lived. An all day effort resulted in negative results. The case is still opened today and her whereabouts is still unknown.

• June 16th & 17th – Annual City of Joliet Car Show- 2007 was the 11th year the Dive Team was present at the show. The City of Joliet hosts the event which includes speed boat exhibitions on the Des-Plains River. The boats are capable of reaching speeds of over 160 MPH. The Team utilizes two rescue boats. One is ready for any surface rescue that is necessary. The other is capable of making any immediate underwater rescues.

• July 27th – Man witnessed jumping from bridge – Witnesses stated they seen a male subject exit a taxi cab walk over to the Jackson St. Bridge and jump in the Des-Plains River. A Still alarm water response was called and with two witnesses seeing the same thing, a Dive Team call out was completed. Divers searched for four hours in the murky waters, and nothing was found. After a thorough investigation, we found out the victims name. He was spotted in a local establishment two days later. Case closed.

• August 30th – Evidence Search- The Dive team received a call to search a specific location in the Hickory Creek. Joliet Detectives investigating a local homicide, received information that a small handgun that was allegedly used in the crime, was tossed into the creek. Raging waters and tough terrain made the search difficult. A complete grid pattern was searched and the location was cleared of any evidence. One subject is in custody pending a trial.

• December 5th- Search for missing person or any evidence (Lockport)- A high profile case once again in our area, had the Dive Team looking for a missing Bolingbrook woman. The Illinois State Police called the Team to assist in the Chicago Sanitary shipping canal in Lockport. As national Media broadcasted the operation, Divers searched for eight hours in tough conditions. Joliet and Lockport Divers marked, hooked up and surfaced debris to assist in the investigation. The Team this day is still assisting multiple agencies in the local search. The case is still very much active as new leads come in.