WAUCONDA (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Two suburban men have been recognized for their efforts that likely saved the life of an 11-year-old boy in Wauconda.
Scott Bellanger and Michael Graves were fishing on April 19, 2019 at Bangs Lake in Wauconda when they heard screams. Someone spotted two children jump from a paddle boat that was drifting away from shore.
The water was 45 degrees and both men quickly made their way to the area on their boat. They found one of the children, Marcuis Montez and pulled him aboard. They said only his face was above water and if they had been a few feet farther away, they probably would not have seen him.
Unfortunately, Bellanger and Graves could not find Montez's friend, Gerald Rodriguez, who was about to turn ten years old at the time. His body was found the next day.
The fishermen received an award from the Wauconda Police Department Wednesday for their bravery in a ceremony that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Montez was present at the ceremony and the Northwest Herald reports that he said “I couldn’t feel my arms. I’m so grateful they were there in time."
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