Illinois UPS driver pulls man from river; returns to work

(Rockford Register Star) A Rockford, Ill. UPS driver jumped into the Rock River to rescue a man who had jumped into the river, according to the Rockford Register Star.

Jeff Hermansen, 40, of Rockford was driving his UPS truck across the bridge around 12:45 p.m. when he saw a man in the river.

He went to the west bank of the river near PNC Bank branch and jumped in. Hermansen swam 15 yards into the river and pulled the man to shore.

The man he pulled out of the water kept trying to keep his head under water. But the UPS driver flipped him over and kept him upright while pulling him to shore.

The man who was pulled from the river was taken to the hospital for a physical and mental evaluation and is expected to be ok.

Rockford Police Officers and Firefighters told the Rockford Register Star the UPS drivers actions were dangerous and heroic.

The river can have a fast current and cold water temperatures.

\"To put his life at risk for another human being that he didn't even know says a lot,\" Rockford Fire Chief Derek Bergsten said.

Hermansen declined treatment or a blanket after pulling the man out of the river. He told responders he needed to keep on his route.