Officials Respond to Social Media Critics of Witnesses at Water Rescue

Authorities have not yet released the name of the child, and it's still unclear what his relationship to the woman is.

Witnesses making calls to 9-1-1 and providing interviews to police are playing a big part in this though.

One witness showed us this video of emergency responders running with the young child in his hands.

Other witnesses told police they saw the woman climb down the break wall and get into the water.

On social media some posters have been critical of bystanders for allegedly "not doing enough to try getting the people out of the water".

But a general rule of thumb for the Red Cross is reach, throw, no-go.

Meaning if you can't reach drowning victims and you can't throw something to them you should wait for authorities.

 "But I would guess that the water temperature's in the 40s or something like that. It's chilly out there. That's why we send so many resources to an event like this. We'll have people that have well defined roles and responsibilities when we respond here. There's a large command contingent and that's so all the other responders can continue to do their work," Terry Lintonen / Deputy Chief, Milwaukee Fire Department said.

The current condition of the young child is not known at this point.

Family members are still being notified of the 21-year-old woman's death.

Milwaukee Police plan to update us as soon as any new information comes out.

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