Cary boy who fell into canyon released from hospital

The 8-year-old Cary boy who fell 26 feet into a canyon at Starved Rock State Park more than a week ago has been released from the hospital, officials confirmed.

Police said the boy was hiking with his parents in a restricted area of the park when he fell from a ledge into Basswood Canyon on Sept. 4.

He suffered head and neck injuries and was transported across the Illinois River in a boat before being airlifted to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria in serious condition. officials said.

A St. Francis Medical Center spokeswoman confirmed the boy has been released from the hospital but said his family requested that hospital staff not release any information regarding his care or when he was released.

No citations had been issued as of early last week, but Illinois Conservation Police could not be reached for comment Monday night.

Police said the canyon the boy fell into about 4:30 p.m. is away from a marked trail.

The state park, which features canyons and bluffs, is located about 90 miles from Chicago in LaSalle County.