Man rescued from boat stuck in Fox River mud

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

ST. CHARLES – A man was rescued Saturday afternoon after his boat became stuck in the mud on the Fox River.

At about 2 p.m., rescue workers from the St. Charles Fire Department were called to Boy Scout Island Park to help rescue the man.

Bystanders who said they were related to the man in the boat said the man had launched his boat, a small runabout, into the river at the park earlier in the afternoon. But at about 1:30 p.m., he piloted the boat into a shallow section of the river near the Pottawatomie Golf Course and was unable to escape the mud that was under about 8 to 12 inches of water.

The bystanders did not provide his name, but said the man was about 54 years old and a resident of Glendale Heights.

Following the incident, St. Charles firefighters also would not disclose the man's name, citing federal privacy laws. While St. Charles police officers were present at the scene, that department said the man's information was not collected, and the matter was being handled by the fire department.

After becoming stuck, the man hailed Steve Burnett, of St. Charles, who was piloting his boat toward the Boy Scout Island boat launch after a morning of fishing on the river.

Burnett said the man had asked him for help. But because the surrounding water was too shallow, Burnett was unable to assist him.

At some point, the man attempted to push his boat free, causing his legs to become wet. But he discovered that he could not stand in the mud, and climbed back into his boat.

The man then contacted emergency officials, seeking help.

Firefighters initially responded with a rubber boat, powered by an outboard motor. But that craft also could not get closer than 60 yards to the stuck boat, said Battalion Chief Scott Swanson of the St. Charles Fire Department. Firefighters then brought in an airboat and were able to rescue the man and retrieve the boat at about 3:30 p.m.

The man was treated at the scene for exposure to the cold temperatures and water by paramedics in a St. Charles Ambulance. He declined further treatment and was released.

The boat likely suffered minimal damage, Swanson said.