Police say 76 year old Irene Tripoli's car went off the road just outside of the Trask Bridge Forest Preserve around six o-clock this morning. When officers arrived on the scene, Tripoli was missing. After searching with dogs and a helicopter, she was rescued by boat, found conscious and hanging onto a branch about a half mile down the river. Winnebago County Sheriff Dick Meyers says other than some signs of hypothermia, Tripoli is ok and lucky to be alive.

"The boat did find her, she's conscious, she's talking, she's certainly cold, hypothermia related, but she's in route to the hospital so at this point a good outcome," said Sheriff Meyers.

Tripoli was taken to Rockford Memorial Hospital after the dramatic rescue. Meyers says she was awake and talking to paramedics, she even gave them a bit of an attitude which he says is a good sign."