CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Authorities have recovered a second body from the DuPage River in southwest suburban Shorewood after a man and woman were reported missing in the water over the weekend.
"We believe the male went in first and the female went in after to help," said Troy Fire Protection District Chief Andy Doyle.
Chief Doyle said it’s not known why a 28-year old man landed in the DuPage River near the Hammel Woods dam on Sunday night shortly before 6 p.m. He said firefighters got to the scene soon after being called.
"One of our [firefighters> did see one of the victims in the water at the time, but weren’t able to get to them as they were sucked back into the dam," he said.
Chief Doyle said a firefighter wearing a life jacket was tethered by a rope and tried to make a rescue, but it was too dangerous near the dam and he was pulled to shore.
Doyle said no divers have been used since the DuPage River in the area being searched is not deep enough. "Right now we have swift water technicians in the water in suits that are walking up and down along the river shores and across and they are using boats as well."
The fire chief said the dam looks deceiving.
"The dam over here in Hammel Woods is very dangerous. It may not look dangerous to a lot of peopl,e but once you get into the dam, there’s a boil and it keeps turning and turning and sucks you back in up against the dam," he said.