Crews have recovered the body of a teenager who drowned in Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls, South Dakota after trying to save her 6-year old brother from an icy river, according to Associated Press. Sioux Falls Fire Chief Jim Sideras said that the 16-year old Madison Leigh Wallace's body was found on Friday afternoon.
Garrett Martin Wallace had been climbing on rocks Thursday evening when he either fell into the water or became obscured by the gathering foam that towered over him, said Police Chief Doug Barthel. The body of 28-year-old Lyle Francis Eagletail has yet to be recovered. Eagletail had jumped in to help the fallen victim.
Witness accounts differ on whether someone pushed the boy out of the water or he popped up on a rock before being pulled ashore, the AP also reported. Emergency workers carried the boy away from the river wrapped in a blanket and he was not injured, Sideras said.
"These people literally jumped in without thinking of their own safety and trying to rescue that child," Sideras said. "It's a very noble act that they did, and they probably contributed to saving that boy's life."
The "city of Sioux Falls is named after the Big Sioux River's cascading waterfalls in Falls Park, a tourist attraction where people often picnic or pose for wedding photos," the AP noted.
It's a popular spot in the summer and spring, drawing about 525,000 visitors annually, according the local visitors' bureau. For the first time in months, the temperature rose to around 50 degrees in Sioux Falls on Thursday.
The park was closed Friday as crews continued their recovery effort.
Fatal accidents are rare at Falls Park.
In 2006, the body of 29-year-old Travis Hallan was found just north of the falls after his canoe tipped over, AP reported A few other incidents have also been documented there.
