The pond on the north side of the Harper College campus where a car was found submerged. Larry Shapiro photo
At around noon on March 24, 2011, the Palatine Fire Department received a call about a vehicle spotted in a pond near the Harper College campus in Palatine, Illinois. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered only the roof of the car visible above the water with the passenger door open. A team of divers quickly entered the water and located a woman inside the vehicle. She was carefully extracted and taken to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, where she was later pronounced deceased.
Local news outlets like the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald covered the incident, highlighting the urgent response by first responders. The cause of the incident is still under investigation, and the victim's identity has not been released at this time.
A backup diver is ready to enter the water if the primary diver requires assistance while searching the pond at Harper College for additional victims. Larry Shapiro photo
Firefighters from Palatine, Hoffman Estates, and Schaumburg conducted an extensive search of the area for over an hour, hoping to locate any other potential occupants. Additional support came from fire departments in Elk Grove, Arlington Heights, and Mt. Prospect. After assisting police with measurements for their investigation, divers secured the car and prepared it for removal using a winch.
A Schaumburg Fire Department diver prepares to perform a secondary search into the submerged car. Larry Shapiro photo
According to the Harper College website:
News Alert: Shortly before noon on Thursday, March 24, 2011, a car was discovered submerged in a pond next to Parking Lot 12 on the Harper College campus in Palatine, IL. Divers recovered one female occupant of the car who was taken to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights and pronounced dead.
The victim has not been identified. The investigation is being handled jointly by the Harper College Police Department, the Palatine Police Department, and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
One diver walks the shore as two are submerged checking the area for additional victims. Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro, a local photographer, was present at the scene and captured several images and a video of the operation. His full gallery can be viewed online. The car was eventually pulled from the pond by Redmons Towing, marking the end of a tense and difficult rescue effort.
Palatine Engine 84 supplies water to the Division 1 Decon unit. Each diver that went into the murky water was processed through the decon showers. Larry Shapiro photo
The Saturn sedan after it was winched out of the pond by Redmons Towing. Larry Shapiro photo
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