Cary boy falls 26 feet into canyon at Starved Rock

An 8-year-old Cary boy was reported to be in serious condition Monday after he fell into a canyon while hiking with his family at Starved Rock State Park.

The boy fell 26 feet from a sandstone ledge into Basswood Canyon about 4:40 p.m. Sunday, and suffered head and neck injuries, according to Illinois Conservation Police Sgt. Hank Frazier.

The canyon is located away from a marked trail, he said.

Emergency rescue personnel from the Utica Fire Department, Illinois State Police and Illinois Conservation police responded to the base of the canyon. The Ottawa River Rescue team transported the boy across the Illinois River, where a helicopter took him to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Frazier said emergency rescues at the state park can be difficult because of the terrain and distance to carry equipment. But such an emergency response, with a boat and helicopter, is routine for first responders, he said.

“It’s a lot quicker and easier because the helicopter is waiting on the other side,” he said.

The state park is located in LaSalle County, about 90 miles from Chicago.