Leaping carp throws Ill. man from jet ski

PEKIN -- Officials in central Illinois say they've conducted their first carp-related rescue.

Detective Mike Sanders of the Pekin Police Department says 22-year-old Tad Newell was riding his new jet ski on the Illinois River Tuesday when he collided with a large, leaping Asian carp. He says Newell was thrown from the jet ski and, when it started taking on water, he couldn't get it started up again.

Sanders says Newell called for help on a cell phone he had with him. Fire Chief Chuck Lauss says his staff soon arrived by rescue boat to save Newell. He says they also snagged the jet ski and towed it to dock.

Officials say Newell was uninjured.