ROCHELLE – One person was transported to the hospital after a car she was in entered a Rochelle lake early Sunday morning and sank. The Rochelle Fire Department says they were called by Rochelle Police around 2:15 AM to the parking lot by the boat ramp of Lake Sule for a car that reportedly went down the boat ramp for unknown reasons. The officer on scene identified the approximate location the SUV floated to and aided a woman who swam to shore. Rochelle Fire and Oregon Fire deployed boats to confirm no other occupants were in the vehicle after responders sounded a MABAS Box Alarm for a water rescue. Other resources were provided by the Ashton Fire Department, Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire Department, and Lee-Ogle Fire Protection District, plus the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman who swam to shore was transported to an area hospital in unknown condition. Divers helped coordinate with a tow company to pull the vehicle from the bottom, where it was in about 8 feet of water and over 100 feet from shore. Crews remained on scene until after 6 AM. No other injuries were reported and the investigation is ongoing.
