Rock Falls man rescued from river

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STERLING – A 71-year-old Rock Falls man spent 30 minutes clinging to a log near the Upper Dam Saturday morning before being rescued from the cold Rock River.

William Bates was walking near the pedestrian bridge when he spotted some colored rocks that he thought were pretty, said his wife, Janice Bates. He slipped reaching for one.

A woman spotted him and called for help, and police and firefighters pulled him out. He was taken to CGH Medical Center, treated and released.

“They wanted to warm him up because he was so cold,” Janice Bates said. “It wasn’t a fun experience.”

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