Cop, firefighter pull two from Westmont pond

A police officer and firefighter are being hailed as heroes after rescuing a husband and wife whose car plunged into a deep retention pond Monday in Westmont.

Police Chief Tom Mulhearn said police and rescue officials were called to 63rd Street and Richmond Road at 9:37 p.m. after reports a passer-by saw headlights in the water.

Officer Jennifer Muska, 27, was first on the scene and saw two people floating across the dark pond. Their car already had sunk in nearly 20 feet of water.

After throwing her vest and belt into her trunk, the five-year police veteran jumped into the frigid water to rescue 67-year-old LeRoy W. Hurlburt Jr.

"He was just floating; there was a bit of movement, but he was not making much progress," Muska said. "I didn't think about what I was doing, I just knew what I had to do."

She brought Hurlburt about 15 feet to shore and began first aid when the man urged her to go back into the water after his wife. Muska, who said she is not a skilled swimmer, entered the freezing water again but was weighed down by mud and had to return to shore.

Westmont firefighters arrived moments later and firefighter Brendan Sullivan, 20, and a fellow firefighter began searching for Perla Hurlburt, 70, while donning wet suits and rescue pulleys.

"It was very dark and we were pretty much going by the sense of gasoline smell, then I felt his wife's hair and found her floating facedown," said Sullivan, a firefighter for nearly two years.

Perla Hurlburt was unconscious. Sullivan said he estimates she was in the water for about 10 minutes.

Both victims were taken to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Hospital officials said Perla Hurlburt is in critical condition with unstable vital signs, while her husband is listed in fair condition.

Muska also was taken to the hospital for observation, but was released after two hours to finish her shift.

Mulhearn hailed the efforts of Muska and Sullivan, who were reluctant to accept kudos for rising to the call of duty.

"They are to be commended for their quick and courageous actions," he said.

An investigation continues into why the couple's 1992 Toyota Tercel swerved into the pond, Mulhearn said. The probe is expected to continue with assistance from the county's Felony Investigating Assistance Team.