Kenosha Pike River drowning, man dead, 2nd man rescued
SOMERS, Wis. - A man, 39, drowned in the Pike River in Kenosha Sunday, May 7, the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department said. He died after trying to help his brother who was struggling in the water. The victim has been identified as Adrian Sanchez-Trujillo from Kenosha.
Deputies responded to the area near Sheridan and Birch (next to Carthage College).
Initial reports from deputies on the scene were that a man was swimming in the Pike River and began to struggle. A child that was with the man at the water’s edge ran to get help. The man’s brother and another man came down and jumped into the water to save him. As the struggling swimmer was pulled to shore the brother who had jumped in to save him went under and did not resurface.
At about 2:49 p.m. Adrian Sanchez-Trujillo was located under the water by Somers Rescue personnel unconscious and not breathing. He was transported to Froedtert South Pleasant Prairie Hospital where he was pronounced dead by the Kenosha County Medical Examiner’s Office.
"I saw one of the first responders jump out and run straight into the river," said Brian Bruce of Racine.
"The second individual was found roughly 50 feet from where they had reportedly entered to swim," said Somers Fire Chief Ben Anderson.
Kenosha Pike River drowning
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Officials noted the creek is cold with standing water about 8 feet deep. Anderson said it's not a place people commonly swim.
"You’ll quickly go in shock and overcome by the cold water, and if you aren’t a good swimmer on top of it, it makes it hard to make it back out," said Anderson.
Neighbors were upset by the news.
"This is just so sad," said Ola McPhee.
Kenosha Pike River drowning
According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, 15 people drowned on Great Lakes so far in 2023. Sunday's drowning didn't happen on one of the Great Lakes, but any body of water can be dangerous.
In Kenosha County in 2022, Anderson said there were more than five drownings.
"Just want people to be safe, so we don't have a repeat of last summer," said Anderson.