Hinsdale woman drowns while saving son at Libertyville forest preserve: officials
Angelina Khalimendik, 31, was a mother of 3.
LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- A woman drowned while saving her son at a Libertyville forest preserve on Sunday, officials said.
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A spokesperson of Lake County Forest Preserves said the woman went into the water at Independence Grove Forest Preserve near North Bay to help her son around 7 p.m.
The 7-year-old boy was swimming in the Des Plaines River.
After she helped the boy reach a family member, officials said she went underwater.
A family member and others helped pull her from the water.
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Paramedics arrived and took to the woman to Advocate Condell Medical Center, where she died.
She was identified as Angelina Khalimendik, 31, of Hinsdale.
The Lake County Forest Preserves Police along with the Lake County Coroner's Office are investigating.
The coroner's office said she likely drowned.
The woman's family returned to the forest preserve Monday, seeking what they hoped would be closure after the tragedy.
Khalimendik was a mother of three.
The Des Plaines River runs through Independence Grove Forest Preserve.
Lake County Forest Preserves Police Chief Ronald Davis said recent weather has affected water conditions.
"We've had some very torrential rains the past week, week and a half. So these bodies of water are flooded with not only extra water but debris, fallen trees, branches, rocks, other things that are under the surface," Davis said.
Davis urged people to stay out of the water and offered safety advice for anyone who becomes caught in a river current.
"If you are swept in the water, remain calm. Try to roll over on your back. Use your arms and your feet as bumpers, pushing away at debris and branches and rocks that may be in your way, and try and get yourself in a position where you look closer to the shoreline, where you're able to get yourself out or have people help you out safely," Davis said.
Khalimendik's husband declined an on-camera interview but said his wife was a passionate and devoted mother. He told reporters he was out of town for work when the incident occurred and wanted her remembered for the care and dedication she showed her children.
A GoFundMe account was set up to help the family.
