Firefighter dies after training exercise
Underwater dive was held in Kankakee in a quarry lake
A SouthHolland firefighter and member of the Illinois Army National Guard died Wednesday night following an underwater dive training exercise, South Holland village officials said.
Dylan Cunningham, 29, of Thornton, was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital at 10:40 p.m ., according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office, following the training exercise at Haigh Quarry Lake in Kankakee.
J. Wynsma, administrator for the village of South
Holland, read a brief statement at a televised morning news conference, after which he refused to answer questions.
“As you can imagine, this is a very difficult day for all of us. There are a lot of hurting people in the building behind me,” he said.
Cunningham, a firefighterparamedic, had been with the South Holland fire department in apart-time role since 2011. In 2018, he was promoted to the position full-time, Wynsma said. Beginning in 2012, he also served in the Illinois ArmyNational Guard.
Wynsma did not provide additional information about the training exercise, or when or how it became clear Cunningham was experiencing a medical emergency. The circumstances leading
to his death are under investigation. The Cook County medical examiner’s office did not determine a cause of death following a Thursday autopsy as the office awaited completion of further investigation.
“We know you have many questions, and so do we. Our efforts will bring conclusions that we will share with you in the coming days,” Wynsma said.
Cunningham attended Thornwood High School in South Holland, where he excelled as a multisport athlete, according to a village news release. He received an associate degree of fire science at Prairie State College, then later trained in Poland to become a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist for the Illinois Army National Guard. In October 2018, he received a Gold Seal from the South Cook CountyEMSmedical director for his work in saving a patient on an EMS call.
“Dylan was a beloved member of our team,” South Holland fire Chief BrianKoloshwas quoted in the news release. “He was dedicated, loyal, hardworking, and also a lot of fun to be around. We are devastated by this loss and are grieving with Dylan’s family.”
The village said Cunningham lived in Thornton with his fiancee and was expecting a child. His mother, Rosemary Cunningham, is a trustee for the village of Thornton.
Wynsma said he and Pat Mahon, deputy village administrator, handled Cunningham’s swearing in to his position in 2018 and called him “a very special youngman.”
“In the days ahead we will be doing everythingwe can to support the Cunningham family. We ask that you keep Dylan’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers,” he said.