Couple thankful after pond rescue

An elderly couple rescued Thursday night in Carol Stream from their nearly submerged car were shaken up but not seriously injured.

Police said the driver, James Adair, 84, of Wheaton, and his 80-year-old wife, Virginia, were taken to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield as a precaution.

Virginia Adair, who was home Friday night, said her husband remained hospitalized with minor injuries. She said she was thankful to be home safe after Thursday's "dramatic" incident.

"We're really blessed not to have been hurt badly," she said. "No broken bones, no bruises."

Carol Stream Lt. Jerry O'Brien said James Adair was pulling out of a parking space in at 520 S. Schmale Road when he backed into another parked car.

"He then quickly changed direction and continued forward over two curbs and into the retention pond," O'Brien said. "The car was accelerating very quickly, and the wheels were spinning.

"Either the car had a mechanical problem," O'Brien added, "or he had his foot on the accelerator instead of the brake pedal."

Virginia Adair said neither she nor her husband knows which scenario caused the car to take off.

"All of a sudden the car just started speeding, and I kept asking my husband what was going on," she said. "He said he didn't know. Next thing I know, we're floating in the water, and then the car started to gradually sink."

Authorities said water quickly filled near the top of the car's interior before rescuers from Wheaton and Carol Stream arrived.

Virginia Adair said an 18-year-old man who witnessed the accident jumped into the pond. The teen helped calm them down.

"That was really nice of him to do and impressive that he was able to stay calm enough to keep us calm," Adair said. "It was really nice to know he was there and telling us help was on the way."

O'Brien said he will recommend to Carol Stream Police Chief Rick Willing that the teen receive an award of valor or citizen appreciation.