Firefighters Rescue Deer Who Fell Through Ice On Fox River

By Sam Borcia, Lake & McHenry County Scanner

WAUCONDA, IL — Wauconda firefighters rescued a deer after a passerby spotted the distressed animal stuck in icy waters on the Fox River near Port Barrington Saturday, authorities said.

The Wauconda Fire District was dispatched around 12:05 p.m. Saturday to an area south of Broken Oar Marina Bar and Grill, 614 Rawson Bridge Road, for a service call.

Fire officials said a passerby noticed a distressed animal on the Fox River and called the fire department. Firefighters arrived and found a deer in the icy waters of the river just north of the Rawson Bridge.

It was stuck after its legs fell through the ice.Firefighters suited up in water rescue gear and walked out to the deer. Personnel from the McHenry County Conservation District also responded to the scene to assist.

The firefighters named the deer “Jan” and were able to free it from the ice.

The deer was escorted to shore and responders attempted to warm the deer up with blankets and hot packs to restore movement in her legs, fire officials said.

McHenry County Conservation District personnel remained with the deer after firefighters left the scene.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.