6-year-old Cary boy seriously injured after being struck by a boat on Fox River

A 6-year-old Cary boy was seriously injured after being struck by a boat Sunday afternoon on the Fox River near Fox River Grove, authorities said.

The boy was swimming off a beach at Picnic Grove Park on the 500 block of Birch Lane when he dove under the water, authorities said early Monday in a news release.

A 19-year-old male boater from Algonquin couldn't see the boy in the murky water and drove the boat over the boy, authorities said.

The child was discovered floating unconscious next to the 18-foot Bayliner and was pulled from the water.

Members of the Fox River Grove Fire Protection District, Fox River Grove Police Department and McHenry County Sheriff's Office responded at 4:45 p.m., authorities said.

Lifesaving measures were performed on the boy by bystanders and paramedics before he was transported via helicopter to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Hospital officials did not immediately return calls seeking information about the boy's condition.

Alcohol is not considered to be a factor, authorities said.

Neither the boy nor the boat driver has been identified by authorities.

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit is investigating.

The beach swimming area did not have buoys Monday.

Fox River Grove Police Chief Eric Waitrovich said the village doesn't have oversight of rules and regulations for swimming in the river because the water is under the jurisdiction of the sheriff's office.

McHenry County Administrator Peter Austin said it is premature to determine whether the county should change any rules for swimming and boating in the river.

"There is a beach that is in place and controlled by the village of Fox River Grove, so they are clearly encouraging swimming at that site," Austin said.