UPDATE @ 5:30 p.m.: Bystanders are being credited with rescuing a man and woman who were struggling in the Mad River at Eastwood MetroPark, Dayton Fire District Chief David Wright said.
The man and woman were wading near the shoreline, near water features on the river at Eastwood Lake, when the man apparently suffered a medical issue and stumbled into deeper water, Chief Wright said. The woman was trying to save the man when she got hung up on rocks.
READ: Child pulled from Dayton pool was taking swim lessons
"They both should be OK," Wright said. "Thanks for the quick action of some bystanders and first responders, we were able to get them out of the river."
Both people have been taken to a hospital.
Dayton fire/rescue crews were dispatched just before 4:30 p.m. on a report of two people struggling in the water, he said, noting that neither of them was wearing a life vest or personal flotation device.
"From my understanding, he took on mouthfuls of water," the district chief said. "He was in what we call the pre-drowning mode. He was starting to swallow water, which starts the drowning process."
READ: Family escapes, kittens rescued in house fire
Wright urged people to wear life vests or use personal flotation devices whenever they are in any body of water.
INITIAL REPORT
A water rescue is underway for two people reported to be in Eastwood Lake at Eastwood MetroPark.
The dispatch was made about 4:20 p.m. Fire and medic units are on scene.
We have a crew on the way and we will update this developing report.
Stay with whio.com for breaking news.
Got a tip? Call our monitored 24-hour line, 937-259-2237, or send it to newsdesk@cmgohio.com
