1 dead, others injured after speeding boat rides over another boat on Fox River near McHenry
Emergency crews respond to the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry after two boats crashed on the Fox River, leaving one person dead and at least one other injured Saturday afternoon. | Photo: Tracy Mathesius
One person was killed and others were injured after witnesses say a speeding boat rode over another boat on the Fox River near McHenry Saturday afternoon.
The McHenry Township Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 2:30 p.m. Saturday to the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry for a report of a boat crash.
Emergency crews respond to the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry after two boats crashed on the Fox River, leaving one person dead and at least one other injured Saturday afternoon. | Photo: Tracy Mathesius
Fire crews arrived and found a crash involving two boats on the Fox River south of the McHenry Dam after receiving multiple 911 calls about the incident.
An occupant of one of the boats was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, according to fire department radio traffic.
Emergency crews respond to the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry after two boats crashed on the Fox River, leaving one person dead and at least one other injured Saturday afternoon. | Photo: Tracy Mathesius
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene to take possession of the victim for an autopsy.
All other occupants involved in the crash were out of the water when the fire department arrived.
Emergency crews respond to the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry after two boats crashed on the Fox River, leaving one person dead and at least one other injured Saturday afternoon. | Photo: Tracy Mathesius
McHenry resident Cody Bingham told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that he was at a celebration of life party at a home on the east side of the Fox River.
He was among the first people at the scene and found a female dead.
Emergency crews respond to the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry after two boats crashed on the Fox River, leaving one person dead and at least one other injured Saturday afternoon. | Photo: Tracy Mathesius
Bingham brought the small white vessel, in which the victim was an occupant, to a nearby dock on the east side of the Fox River.
The second person on the smaller boat was transported to a local hospital by ambulance.
Emergency crews respond to the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry after two boats crashed on the Fox River, leaving one person dead and at least one other injured Saturday afternoon. | Photo: Tracy Mathesius
The second boat involved, which was a larger triple-engine vessel, came to rest partially off the Fox River in a wooded area.
Bystanders said the two boats were both traveling north on the river when the bigger boat was speeding and ran over the smaller boat in a no-wake zone.
Emergency crews respond to the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry after two boats crashed on the Fox River, leaving one person dead and at least one other injured Saturday afternoon. | Photo: Tracy Mathesius
The occupants of the offending boat, which reportedly had at least three people on it, fled from the vessel, witnesses said.
A bystander chased down one of them, suspected to be the operator, and another reportedly left the scene in an Uber. A police canine and officers were actively searching the area for the third.
Emergency crews respond to the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry after two boats crashed on the Fox River, leaving one person dead and at least one other injured Saturday afternoon. | Photo: Tracy Mathesius
Fire officials said the Fox River was closed “indefinitely” between the Stratton Lock and Holiday Hills. “No traffic allowed due to a boat accident.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois Department of Natural Resources Police also responded to the scene.
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.
