Heroic Rescue Caught on Video: 3 Pulled from Icy Illinois Pond After Car Plunges Into Freezing Water in Glendale Heights
Dramatic bodycam footage captures the heart-pounding moment Glendale Heights police officers plunged into an icy pond to rescue three people after their car crashed into the freezing water amid sub-zero temperatures. The daring icy pond rescue in Illinois highlights the bravery of first responders, as Officers Dennis Stachura and Marco Lomibao risked their lives in 1-degree weather to save two men and one woman stranded 20-30 feet from shore.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning, December 14, around 1:35 a.m., near Roberta and Burdette Avenues in Glendale Heights, a suburb west of Chicago. Police received reports of a vehicle submerged in the pond, with the car partially underwater and surrounded by thin ice. Upon arrival, the officers immediately sprang into action, wading through the frigid water without hesitation.
Body camera video released by the Glendale Heights Police Department shows the officers breaking through ice, calling out to the victims, and pulling them one by one to safety. Additional help arrived from fellow officers and the Glenside Fire Protection District, ensuring all three were brought to shore. The rescued individuals—suffering from minor injuries and hypothermia—were treated at a local hospital and later released.
Glendale Heights Police Chief David C. Geary praised the team, stating, “What could have been a tragic accident turned into heroic actions by Officers Stachura and Lomibao, and other responding officers on scene. I want to commend them for their selfless acts as they put their own lives at risk to rescue these three individuals.”
Officer Stachura later described the adrenaline-fueled effort: “My hands were on the ice, the water was freezing, but in my mind, it was just the adrenaline and the instinct of getting those people out.”
Authorities arrested the driver on DUI charges, highlighting how impaired driving can lead to life-threatening situations, especially in harsh winter conditions.
For U.S. readers, particularly those in Midwest states like Illinois facing bitter cold snaps, this icy pond rescue serves as a stark reminder of winter driving dangers. Slippery roads, reduced visibility, and alcohol impairment contribute to thousands of crashes annually, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Such incidents underscore the importance of sober driving and preparedness for extreme weather, potentially saving lives and reducing strain on emergency services.
The video of the Glendale Heights icy pond rescue has gone viral, amassing views across news outlets and social media, with many praising the officers’ quick thinking and courage. Community members have expressed gratitude, noting the risks first responders face daily.
As winter grips the region, experts urge caution on roads near bodies of water, where thin ice poses hidden threats. This successful outcome in Glendale Heights demonstrates effective training and teamwork among Illinois law enforcement and fire departments.
The dramatic icy pond rescue in Illinois reinforces public trust in first responders, showing how split-second decisions can turn potential tragedy into triumph amid freezing conditions.
By Mark Smith
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