Fisherman rescues 2 from Fox River

Denise Gray isn't likely to forget her first time in a canoe.

The 27-year-old Elgin woman, who is eight months pregnant, was pulled from the Fox River Sunday afternoon after the vessel tipped over.

She and her boyfriend could not right his canoe, and luckily, a nearby fisherman guided in his own boat guided the pair to safety while rescue teams were en route with boats and divers.

"I was in the front of the boat, and all of a sudden it tipped over," Gray said today in a phone interview. "I remember getting dumped in the water. Actually, it was my first time canoeing. I won't be doing that again."

Gray said she and Boyd Muirhead, a 40-year-old Elgin man, spent about 20 minutes calling for help while clinging to the canoe.

A fisherman dragged them and the canoe to shore and safety near Slade Avenue. A passer-by called 911 and rescue teams were en route.

"(The operation) was relatively simple and quick and, again, aided by a civilian. That helped us," said acting Elgin battalion chief Bryan McMahan today. "We (arrived) pretty quick. It was a nice day, a lot of people out."

Authorities said the fisherman only identified himself as Kevin Ward and left immediately.

Gray was taken to Sherman Hospital by ambulance for some tests and was released later that night. Overall, there were no injuries and Gray's baby is OK.

Gray, before cutting short her phone interview, said she and Muirhead brought some food and drinks for their trip, which began from the east bank.

Even though the weather was warm on Sunday, McMahan said the two still were in danger of hypothermia.

"You can still get hypothermia - absolutely. I would care to venture the water temperatures is still in the 50s."