Elgin Teens In Big Trouble For Rafting Over Fox River Dam
ELGIN, Ill. (CBS) -- Three Elgin teenagers have court dates, after being arrested for doing something that could have cost them their lives.
As WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports, the 16-year-old boys went over the Fox River dam at Kimball Street in Elgin in an inflatable raft last weekend – twice, the Daily Herald reported. Witnesses called 911 around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, the newspaper reported.
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Neither was wearing a life jacket.
An 18-year-old who was with them stood at the side of the dam and took pictures, the newspaper reported.
All three were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
Elgin police Chief Jeff Swoboda tells the Daily Herald the teens were very lucky to have escaped from the powerful swirling waters.
Back in 1974, Elgin firefighter Michael Whalen and Capt. Stanley Balsis died after rescuing someone who had gone over the dam on a $5 bet, the Daily Herald reported.
In 1995, a man drowned in the dam after being swept over it when he skidded off a jet ski, the newspaper reported.
