Six Girls Rescued From the Cedar River

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By Belinda Yeung

Story Created: Jul 15, 2012 at 7:40 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 15, 2012 at 9:06 AM CDT

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Six juveniles were rescued from the Cedar River Saturday afternoon at Black Hawk Park.

All the youth survived and appear fine, according to the authorities. As a precaution, they were transported to Sartori Hospital in Cedar Falls for treatment.

Black Hawk County Deputies were dispatched to Cedar Campground in the park at about 2 p.m. on a report of a possible drowning. Police said six juvenile females had been swimming near a sandbar but drifted to deeper water and were unable to swim to safety.

The girls were rescued by family members, passing boaters and two people on personal watercraft, witnesses said.

The girls, who weren’t identified by police, were camping at the park with about 50 others from Healing Water Assembly of God Church in Waterloo.

Pastor Barry Lokeijak said his 13-year-old daughter Miriem was one of the girls saved. Lokeijak also said his wife, Selma, helped.

“It really scared me. Thank God everyone is OK,” Lokeijak said.

Deputies were assisted by Black Hawk County Conservation, Cedar Falls Police, Cedar Falls Fire Rescue and Sartori Paramedics.

Al Weber with Black Hawk County Conservation said the girls were out of the water by the time authorities arrived.

“Everyone is alive and accounted for,” he said.

Despite low river levels because of the ongoing drought in the area, officials say there are deep pockets of water in the Cedar and currents can be swift and unpredictable. Caution is advised when swimming.