Cary boy hit by boat on Fox River stable in hospital

A 6-year-old Cary boy is stable in the hospital after a boat struck him Sunday afternoon in the Fox River near Fox River Grove, authorities said Tuesday morning.

Family members told the McHenry County sheriff's office the boy is under observation at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge and could be released, Deputy Sandra Rogers said.

The boy was swimming off a beach at Picnic Grove Park in Fox River Grove when he dove underwater, authorities said. A 19-year-old Algonquin man driving a boat to a nearby dock couldn't see the boy in the murky water and ran over him, authorities said.

The child was found floating unconscious next to the 18-foot Bayliner and was pulled from the water. He was taken to the hospital by helicopter.

"It's one of those situations where it sounds really bad but it turns out good," Rogers said.

The sheriff's office did not issue a citation to the boater. Witnesses told investigators he was driving to the dock slowly and cautiously, Rogers said.

The location of the accident does not appear to be cordoned off by buoys restricting boating or swimming.