1 killed, 2 others injured in 2 boat crash on Fox River near McHenry County, officials say
An investigation remains ongoing following a fatal boating incident on the Fox River in unincorporated McHenry County on Saturday afternoon.
Crews spent hours responding to a boating incident that occurred around 3 p.m. on the river near Riverside Drive south of the McHenry Dam.
People who live along the river say it's left the community shaken.
Along the banks of the Fox River, crews pulled out two boats involved, with damage showing the impact of the collision.
The McHenry Township Fire Protection District said crews responded to the crash, where one boat ran ashore. They said a total of four people were involved.
One person was evaluated and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries from the boat that ran ashore. They said another person from that boat ran from the scene.
The other boat had a person taken in advanced life support care, and the other person on the boat died at the scene.
Witnesses who did not want to speak on camera say neighbors rushed to the scene to help before first responders arrived.
The investigation prompted the closure of the Fox River as crews from the McHenry County Sheriff's Office, McHenry Township Fire Protection District and Illinois Department of Natural Resources responded.
It's not clear yet if criminal charges will be filed, as the DNR is leading the investigation.
"It's a tragedy. It makes you have to take a step back and say 'thank you' for every day that you have," said Jane Sexton.
Jane and Bob Sexton have lived on the river for more than two decades. They say neighbors here are close and Saturday's incident has left some disturbed.
"This is a dangerous part of the river," Bob said. "It's very narrow as far as the river goes, and then the speeding around the corners here, it's kind of a blind corner."
The two added that the stretch of the river has had a history of boating incidents—often involving high speed.
"So it's very unfortunate what's happened, and we feel for the families because of what's happened, but it's also something that has happened in the past too where there's been accidents on this corner," Bob said.
Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-Illinois) released a statement on social media, saying, "Our thoughts and prayers for everyone involved in the boating accident just down river from the dam. We understand there has been a victim who has succumbed to injuries, and that members of the offending boat may be on foot in Holiday Hills area south of the dam. Please keep your eyes open for anyone who may be injured and appear to be a boater that is out of place. Call the police even if you have just suspicions."
The Fox River was reopened after a few hours following the response to the incident.
