Kishwaukee confirms 18 victims

By BEN BURR

Kishwaukee Community Hospital will continue to update reports on the victims on its Web site, www.kishhospital.org.

As of 5:40 p.m., 18 victims had been confirmed with four being critical.

Out of the four, one is in the intensive care unit, one has been transferred to OSF Saint Anthony Hospital in Rockford, one has been transferred to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Downers Grove and one is waiting for transfer.

Eight others are in stable condition, but they could become critical and are being kept under watch.

Out of the “walking wounded,” none have been released.

Kishwaukee currently has orthopedic and neural surgeons along with seven general surgeons.

Chaplains and counselors from employee assistance are available to talk to families.

NIU has also sent a crisis team to the hospital.

“We’ve never had this kind of mass victim situation,” Emanuelson said. “Obviously the response from our staff has been tremendous.”

“We want to make sure the families know before we reveal anything regarding identities of the victims.”