Boy, 6, Drowned Trying To Reach Ball In Kankakee River: Police

KANKAKEE, IL — The body of a 6-year-old boy was pulled from the Kankakee River Tuesday evening after witnesses said he fell in while trying to reach a ball.

Just after 3 p.m. July 16, the Kankakee City Fire and Police departments were notified of a possible drowning on the Kankakee River near the Beckman Park boat launch, according to Kankakee Police Chief Christopher Kidwell. The boy's family told ABC7 that he had fallen off the dock while reaching for a ball in the water.

Witnesses also tried to reach the boy, who went under the water and never resurfaced. The boy's mother did everything she could to help, family told reporters.

Kankakee police, sheriff and fire departments, along with rescue boats from Aroma Fire department, Limestone Fire department and Bourbonnais Fire department tried to reach the boy, but rising water levels and a strong current hampered their efforts. A boater familiar with the river also tried to help, police said.

At approximately 5:22 p.m., the boy's body was found near the area boat launch where he was last seen, about 25 feet from shore. The depth of the water was approximately 10 feet.

The Kankakee County Coroner’s office pronounced the boy dead at the scene. His name has not yet been released.

The drowning is under investigation by the coroner's office.