Man, 58, Drowns In Kankakee River After Falling Overboard: Officials

KANKAKEE, IL — The body of a 58-year-old man was pulled from the Kankakee River Saturday after witnesses said he fell overboard.

Kankakee City Fire and Police departments were called just before 2:30 p.m. for a report of a possible drowning just north of the Schuyler Street bridge, according to a release from the Kankakee Fire and Police departments. Boaters on-scene told first responders that they saw the man fall overboard, and as they attempted to reach him, the man went under and never resurfaced.

Kankakee Fire, assisted by rescue boats from Aroma, Limestone, and Bourbonnais Fire departments along with the Illinois Conservation Police searched for the man, also calling in the MABAS 15 Division water rescue team.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., the victim was found near the Water Street boat launch, about 25 feet from shore, according to the release. The depth of the water was approximately 10 feet. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by the Kankakee County Coroner’s office.

The Daily Journal identified the man as Roger Brooks, 58.

An autopsy was conducted Sunday to determine cause of death.

The incident is under investigation by the Kankakee County Coroner’s Office, Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Natural Resources.