In Sioux Falls emergency crews are working to recover the bodies of two people who are believed to have drowned in the swift moving water of the Big Sioux River.
The incident occurred yesterday afternoon after a six year old child disappeared into a thick foam covering the water near the falls. Officials say after 6 year old Garrett Wallace disappeared in the river - his sister, 16 year old Madison Wallace, went in after him. A bystander, 28 year old Lyle Francis Eagletail, also went into the water to attempt a rescue. Garrett Wallace, the 6 year old boy was recovered safely but both Eagletail and Madison Wallace were pulled into the swift current. Their bodies have not yet been recovered.
Jim Sideras is the Sioux Fire Chief and he asks residents to enjoy the falls but stay back from the swift moving water and slick rocks that line the shore. He adds that if someone falls in to the water don't go in after them.
"It's a very brave and noble thing that these two people did not think of their own safety and jumped in. However it makes the operation much more dangerous and much more complex and obviously we don't have an eye witness. So the best thing to do is to stay on the shore make sure that you stay in contact with that person so we know where to start at and we have a better chance of saving someone," said Sideras.
Sidearas said the rescue effort was complicated by six to ten feet of foam built up on top of the water that had to be removed before crews could begin. Sideras said it's unclear if the 6 year old boy actually went into the water or just disappeared into the thick foam that had built up on shore. Officials also said it is unclear if the boy was saved by one of those who went in after him or if he made it out on his own. The effort to recover the two bodies is on-going.
