ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — Authorities are praising the heroism of a UPS driver who risked his life to rescue a man who jumped into the Rock River from a Rockford bridge.
When 40-year-old Jeff Hermanson of Rockford saw the man in the river Tuesday, he parked his truck along a river bank and jumped in, swimming about 15 yards to the man and then pulling him to shore.
The Rockford Register Star reports the man who jumped was taken to a hospital for a physical and mental evaluation.
Police and firefighters at the scene said the Rock River can be treacherous because of the fast current and cold water at this time of year.
Hermansen declined medical treatment and returned to work. He had dry clothes brought to him on his route.
