Two teenagers caught in the current of the St. Joseph River in Niles Wednesday evening were rescued thanks to the quick action of responding Niles police and fire personnel.

Officer Shane Daniel, of the Niles Police Department, said the boys, ages 14 and 16, were wading in the water off Island Park when they were swept away by the current.

Public safety officials were dispatched to the area at approximately 9:30 p.m. and Daniel was able to locate the two boys in the river from the top of the Broadway Bridge.

The first subject, he said, was bobbing up and down below the surface of the water, while the second subject was barely visible and appeared to be unconscious.

Daniel said he threw a rescue disc to the second subject, who was able to hold onto the disc despite being disoriented.

Another responding officer, Nathan Adamczyk, provided Daniel with a second rescue disc, which Daniel successfully threw to the other teen.

Both boys were able to hang on until members of the Niles Fire Department’s water rescue team arrived by boat and pulled the teens from the water.

“It was really good teamwork. They were there fast,” Daniel said. “Everyone worked together. Those two boys are lucky.”

Daniel said the police department acquired the rescue discs this year and performed a training session with them just a few months ago. He said the discs, which resemble Frisbees, are attached to approximately 100 feet of rope.

“Sure enough a couple months later and here we are,” he said.

Daniel said both boys were “shaken” and cold, but otherwise in good condition. They were transported to Lakeland Hospital for evaluation.

Daniel is the same officer credited with using a taser to subdue an individual who stabbed four people on a train that was stopped at the Niles Amtrak Station in December 2014. He received a Departmental Citation for his efforts.

The water rescue was at least the second one performed in the St. Joseph River in Niles within the last year.

Two kayakers were rescued after their kayaks became stuck in debris near the Main Street Bridge in July 2015.

Niles Fire Department Chief Larry Lamb, who was part of both water rescues, said people need to take the proper precautions when enjoying the St. Joseph River.

“You have to understand moving water and wear the appropriate gear or you can get into trouble pretty quickly,” he said. “The river is a huge blessing for us, but at the same time it can also be dangerous.”

Lamb praised all involved in the most recent rescue.

“Thank goodness we had the tools, the equipment and the people needed to get them pulled to safety,” he said.