Kayakers, dogs rescued at Fox Ridge State Park

CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Fire departments and law enforcement groups rescued a group of kayakers and two dogs from Fox Ridge State Park on Sunday.

Officials from the Lincoln Fire Protection District said five people were kayaking Sunday evening, aiming for the south boat launch at the park, but one was injured and unable to continue kayaking. Someone in the group placed a call for help, but their phone died before dispatchers were able to obtain their exact location.

First responders were dispatched at 8:10 p.m. They quickly established a command post at the entrance of the park before searching a stretch of the river on UTV and on foot.

The kayakers were found at 9:18 p.m. Rescuers established a plan to get them back to the trailhead and all five, plus two dogs, were brought back to the trail around 10:30 p.m. The injured kayaker was evaluated by Charleston Fire Department paramedics, but they were not transported to a hospital.

Agencies that helped out with the rescue include the Coles-Moultrie 911 (CECOM), Coles County Sheriff’s Office, Hutton Fire Protection District, Ashmore Fire Department, Charleston Fire Department, Lincoln Fire Protection District Dive Team, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police, Coles County Emergency Management Agency staff from Fox Ridge State Park.

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