RedactedNarrative: On 04/05/2017, I was notified by the department of a personal injury boat accident that occurred on 02/28/2017 where a kayak capsized on the Rock River near the base of Fordam Dam.  
  
  On 04/18/2017, after obtaining and utilizing information from Rockford City Fire and Rescue Reports obtained through FOIA Request, I located and interviewed boat accident victim.
  
  Operator1 indicated he took his 10''00" yellow (unknown make/model) one man kayak to the Rock River to go fishing.  This yellow vinyl and plastic kayak was purchased by Operator1''s girlfriend, at a garage sale 5-7 years earlier for $100.00.  Operator1 never observed a make/model on the vessel but indicated it had a current Paddle Pass attached.  He arrived at the Rock River at approximately 9:00 a.m. and carried his kayak to the East shoreline 50 yards downstream from Fordam Dam where he launched his vessel.  A P.F.D. was worn by Operator1''s account as he paddled upstream towards the base of the dam. 
  
  At approximately 11:30 a.m., Operator1 indicated he began to notice being drawn closer to the base of the dam near the turbulent water.  He began to paddle downstream into a strong 10-15 mph. wind, but it was described feeling like he was paddling in air because he was unable to navigating away from the dam.  Operator1 noticed his kayak began swamping from the overflowing waters of the dam.  Operator1 indicated once the kayak filled up so far with water, it capsized ejected him into the river.  Operator1 advised he held onto the overturned kayak and began yelling for help.  
  
  Two workers from a nearby factory located S.W. of the dam who observed the incident ran to Operator1''s aid.  They jumped the fence at the catwalk above Operator1 along the top of the dam and lowered a chain down to Operator1 who grabbed for the tether as his kayak sunk.  Rockford Fire and rescue arrived shortly after and lifted Operator1 from the river using an extended ladder boom.  Operator1 was transported to Swedish American Hospital and treated for Hypothermia and exhaustion.  Operator1 complained at the interview of ongoing pain in his right shoulder from holding onto the chain tether provided by the factory workers. The kayak was never recovered.  Department Point Of Sale record shows Operator1 had purchased a paddle pass for a kayak August of 2016'' with a resident fishing license.
  
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