'Noticed a finger sticking out:' 11-year-old rescued after playing near drainage ditch in Columbia Co.

TOWN OF HARRISON/CALUMET COUNTY -- Officials with the Calumet County Sheriff's Office rescued a child who was apparently sucked into a storm drain amid severe weather on Tuesday, Aug. 28.

It happened around 6 p.m.

Sheriff's officials said a 911 call came in regarding an 11-year-old boy who went missing in a drainage ditch in the Village of Harrison. Deputies arrived on scene, and found the road was flooded with about three feet of water.

Family members said the boy and friends were playing in the drainage ditch when he went under and never resurfaced.

Deputies searched the storm sewer, assisted by fire officials and other first responders, including a dive team.

As the water began to recede, a deputy "noticed a finger sticking out of a manhole cover" approximately 30 feet from the culvert where the boy was last seen. That cover was removed, and the boy was pulled to safety. He was taken to the hospital -- conscious and alert.

After this incident, sheriff's officials said they want to warn parents to not allow children to play in or near drainage ditches or retaining ponds -- especially during storms, as the rapid water movement can be life-threatening.

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