Galesburg, IL (March 6, 2021) The Galesburg Fire and Police Departments responded to reports of a subject who had fallen through the ice and was in the water near 3314 Lakeside Ct. at 6:44 pm Friday night. The response included Engine 53 from the Fremont Station along with Rescue 55 from the Central Station and 5 firefighters. As the subject was reported to be in the middle of the lake approximately 80 yards out by Galesburg Police already on scene the two fire department units went to separate locations to conduct a rescue. Donning ice rescue gear, Capt. Jim Pendergast and Firefighter Kyle Harms walked onto the ice and entered the water about 30 yards away while Police officers on scene kept lights on the male subject and kept in voice contact with him. Both firefighters had to chop through another 30 yards of ice to get to the subject. Once reached, they attached him to the ice rescue board and were quickly pulled to shore by the remaining fire crews, Galesburg Police, and Galesburg Hospital Ambulance Service personnel.
The subject was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center where they were met by a Peoria Life Flight.