Two local men honored for water rescue at Crab Orchard Lake

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill., (KBSI) — Two employees from Oasis Powersports are being recognized for their heroic actions after saving a woman who attempted to drown herself in Crab Orchard Lake.

Zach Wagner and Brayden Edwards were testing watercraft on May 27 when they spotted a woman floating face down in the water. Without hesitation, the men jumped in and pulled her to safety—just moments before first responders arrived on scene.

Dashcam footage shows a Williamson County Sheriff’s deputy responding to a 911 call about a woman experiencing a serious mental health crisis.

“Be advised, we just received another 911 call,” a dispatcher is heard saying. “The female’s in the water attempting to drown herself.”

Before authorities could get to the scene, Wagner and Edwards intervened. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office honored the pair during a recognition ceremony this week.

“Without regard for their own safety, Mr. Wagner and Mr. Edwards sprang into action, quickly pulling her from the water,” Sheriff Jeff Diederich said. “Their rapid response and lifesaving actions directly contributed to the female surviving this harrowing incident.”

The two said they didn’t think twice about what they had to do.

“We had just untied the skis, and I was probably a hundred yards out,” Edwards said. “He was just untying, and he noticed her and I seen him go over there and dive in. So I flew up onto the dock, pulled her up after he picked her up.”

Edwards said first responders arrived within a minute after their 911 call.

Both men said mental health is an issue close to their hearts.

“I know people that have thought about it and people that have struggled with mental health and depression,” Wagner said. “Hopefully everything will get better and everybody can have a better mindset on stuff.”

Sheriff Diederich stressed the importance of community response in mental health emergencies and reminded the public to always call 911 if they see someone in distress.