Boy Rescued from Drainage Ditch in Calumet County

An 11-year old boy is safe today in Calumet County after disappearing in a drainage ditch in the aftermath of yesterday afternoon’s severe thunderstorms.  Lieutenant Mark Wiegert of the Calumet County Sheriff’s Department said his office received a 9-1-1 call about a boy who was missing in a drainage ditch in the Village of Harrison around 6:00 last evening. Arriving deputies found the roadway was flooded with about 3-feet of water.  Family members told authorities the victim and several friends were playing in the ditch when he went under water and never resurfaced.  Deputies, assisted by the Harrison Fire Department & First Responders along with Town of Buchanon Fire, Calumet County Dive team, Department of Natural Resources & State Patrol started a search of the ditch & adjoining storm sewer.  When the water began to recede, one of the searchers noticed a finger sticking out of a manhole cover, approximately 30 feet from the culvert where the 11-year old was last seen.  The cover was removed and the boy was pulled to safety. He was conscious and alert when transported to a local hospital by Gold Cross Ambulance.  Lt. Wiegert says sheriff’s officials are warning parents to not allow children to play in or near drainage ditches or retaining ponds, especially during storms because rapid water movement can be life threatening.