Photo by kconnors via morgueFile.com
At 9:53 a.m., Salem Fire/Rescue and dive team members are responding to a scene.
UPDATE 10:01 a.m. — Bristol Fire and Rescue also on the scene.
UPDATE 10:10 a.m. — Scene apparently in the 22000 block of 45th Street, Brighton.
UPDATE — The Sheriff’s Department issued the following press release this afternoon:
This morning at approximately 9:44 AM Kenosha Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a report of a child in distress, in the pond at a campground in the 22000 block of 45th Street. Reportedly, a man (mid 30’s) was swimming out to a floating platform with his 3½ year old nephew. The platform is an estimated 70-80 feet from the beach area. The man began to flounder half way out to the platform. A group of Good Samaritans observed what was happening and swam out to help. Initial reports indicate that the Good Samaritans were able to get to the child, but the uncle had already gone under. The child was brought to a buoy line approximately 12-15 feet from shore where others pulled the child in. Deputies arrived on scene to be told the child was OK, but the uncle was still missing. Deputies dove in the pond to began searching for the uncle. The Kenosha County Dive Team was called for search and rescue. Divers found the uncle in the pond, under water, approximately 40 minutes later. Rescuers began life saving efforts, but were unable to resuscitate the victim. He was taken to St. Catherine’s Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 11:50 a.m. Deputies continue to work through language barriers as they interview family members. It remains unclear whether the uncle was swimming out to the 3½ year old, or had him in tow.Reportedly the extended family had been camping at the facility when this incident occurred. Deputies are still trying to verify the identity of the victim, having received differing information. He is believed to be from the Kenosha area. The victim remains unidentified until a positive ID can be obtained.
Chief Mike Slover of Salem Fire/Rescue added “Once on scene we found sheriff’s deputies in the water trying to locate the older adult victim. The deputies were in water approximately 8-16 feet 25 yards from the shore. We immediately placed several firefighters in the water in mustang suits to help with the initial search while waiting on divers. As fire department resources arrived additional shoreline searches were initiated.”
