Highland Park boy meets rescuers who saved his life in Wisconsin

WHEELING, Ill. (WLS) -- A 9-year-old boy from Highland Park got the chance Tuesday to meet and thank the rescuers who saved his life in Wisconsin.

Tommy Alter, 9, arrived at Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling with his parents to meet the Coast Guard helicopter crew that rescued him two weeks ago in Green Bay. He shook hands with the U.S. Coast Guard crew members who rescued him and two family members from the waters in Door County, Wis., two weeks ago.

"We are very, very grateful and very thankful," said Jay Alter, Tommy's father.

On July 11, the boy, his aunt Allison and cousin Zach rented kayaks in Wisconsin and when they did not return that evening, the rental agency notified authorities who began a search immediately, which lasted throughout the night into the next day. The search lasted for more than 15 hours.

"They were a little hypothermic, they were pretty cold and pretty happy to be up in the helicopter," said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Dan Schrader.

The Coast Guard says the longer a rescue mission takes, the shorter are the chances of survival- especially when it involves water and children.

"He has talked a lot about the rescue itself and very excited to have an opportunity to see these men again," said Leslie Alter, Tommy's mother.

The crew hoisted up the three into the helicopter and wrapped them in blankets. Tommy got to see the helicopter that was used for the rescue.

The Coast Guard found the three kayakers nearly 10 miles offshore. All three were wearing life jackets and stayed with their kayaks throughout the night.

"Once a mile off shore, your cell phone drops coverage. Having a radio is a big help and having flares helps us find you quicker. It is good to see him good to see it turned out well," said Lt. Schrader.

Once home, the young boy immediately built a replica of the helicopter with Legos to honor the men who saved his life.

"Thank you everybody that helped me," said Tommy.

The Coast Guard says in 2013 there were just under 600 boating casualties in the United States, and 330 of those involved people not wearing life jackets. The three did the right thing: they had the right kind of life jackets for children and stayed in the kayaks throughout the entire ordeal.