Elgin drowning victim identified

An Elgin man who drowned in the Fox River in Elgin has been identified, police said.

Eric Elam, 35, was found about 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the water just south of National Street, about 15 hours after witnesses reported seeing him go into the water after the Fourth of July fireworks show near Festival Park.

There were no signs of foul play, police spokeswoman Kristie Hilton said Friday.

There was still a large crowd, and witnesses had different accounts about what happened, Elgin Fire Chief Dave Schmidt said.

Some said the man waded into the river just north of Grand Victoria Casino, appeared to stumble and went underwater.

Others said he "rolled" into the water.

Divers searched the river until 3 a.m. Thursday and resumed the search six hours later.

Rescuers searched with robots and sonar systems from the South Elgin dam to the casino riverboat.