7-Year-Old Trapped Under Capsized Boat Drowns In Chicago River

CHICAGO — A 7-year-old boy drowned Wednesday evening in the Chicago River, ABC 7 reports. Victor Lobato, of Little Village, was taken to Mercy Hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead, police confirmed.

Fire officials said the boat he was on capsized at 6:41 p.m. in the 1500 block of S. Lumber Street, flipping nine people, including the boy, into the river. All nine were pulled from the water and assessed by paramedics.

Police said everyone but the boy is accounted for and uninjured. Three adults and two additional children were taken to the University of Illinois Medical Center in good condition, while three other people refused treatment, officials said.

Police said a passing cargo boat caused the passenger boat to overturn. The boy was trapped underneath the capsized boat and drifted three blocks downriver before divers could reach him, Deputy District Fire Chief Carmelita Wiley-Earls told ABC.

Fire officials said the "small craft" was "pretty packed," and it's not clear if the passengers were wearing life jackets, according to the television station.

The Chicago Police Marine Unit responded to the incident, and police detectives are investigating the boy's death, but police said the capsizing was likely an accident.