Two hospitalized, one airlifted in water rescue

WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Emergency rescue officials removed two people from a body of water behind an elementary school in West Terre Haute.

Around 6:42 p.m. Vigo County dispatch received a call about male subject and his girlfriend being stuck in the water in the Wabashiki Wild Life Area east of the levee, and east of the water tower in West Terre Haute.

According to a release from the Department of Natural Resources, Brennen Chandler, 21, of Terre Haute and Arica Wellman, 21, a student at Indiana State University, had reportedly been walking down the Wabashiki Trail.

After some time walking, the couple decided to take a short cut on their return trip back to their vehicle.  Their shortcut took them through wetlands that had ice and water that ranged from a few inches deep to water that was knee deep.

When the couple reached water depths of nearly 4 to 5 feet deep, they called for assistance.

Sugar Creek Task Force 7: Water Rescue, conservation officer Jason Sullivan, Vigo County sheriff’s deputy Jeff Bell and West Terre Haute police officer Jerry Goodman were amongst the initial responders to the call.

Upon arrival, rescue crews were able to hear Wellman and Chandler yelling for help east of the levee by the elementary school.

Fire crews pulled Wellman and Chandler from the frozen water.  Soon after, Wellman was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital.  Chandler was transported by Trans Care to Regional Hospital.

Both were treated for severe hypothermia and released.