Crews Still Searching Des Plaines River for Teen who Jumped in Saturday Near Melrose Park

MELROSE PARK, IL — First responders have resumed the search for a teenager who jumped in the Des Plaines River near Melrose Park Saturday afternoon and did not emerge. The 16-year-old reportedly jumped from a railroad bridge and into the river along with three other teenagers around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, according to CBS Chicago. When he did not emerge, his friends called 911.

The teenagers were near the 8300 block of West North Avenue near Melrose Park when they jumped into the river, according to ABC 7. The teens reportedly accessed the water from a hole in a chain link fence to access the river. Eyewitnesses told ABC 7 the missing teen struggled to stay afloat and was seen gasping for air.

Crews searched the throughout the evening and resumed searching the Des Plaines River for the missing teenager early Sunday. As of Sunday afternoon, Melrose Park Fire Department and Canadian National Railroad officials were coordinating with several other organizations.

ABC 7 said watching officials reported watching cellphone footage of the struggling teen as “terrifying.”

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