Barge Worker's Body Recovered From Des Plaines River: Fire Chief

CHANNAHON, IL — The body of a barge worker was discovered floating in the Des Plaines River around 11 a.m. Tuesday, Channahon Fire Chief John Petrakis announced.

The worker's body was spotted near the south shoreline of the Des Plaines River at river mile marker 276 by search and recovery crews.

The identity of the man is not being disclosed until next of kin can be notified. The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office will be the investigating agency.

According to Channahon fire officials:

At 7:22 p.m. Monday, Channahon's firefighters were called to the area of Interstate 55 and Des Plaines River for someone missing from a barge crew.

The barge departed from the area of Interstate 55 and Des Plaines River and eventually docked after passing through the Dresden Lock and Dam. A search area was established between Interstate 55 and the Dresden Dam and Lock. Search boats were deployed and conducted several search patterns along the approximate 7 miles of river channel.

Channahon's Police Department assisted by deploying a drone in three different flight paths over the area. The U.S. Coast Guard provided a helicopter and provided aerial passes over the river. Search efforts ended at 9 p.m. and resumed at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Boats from the Channahon, Minooka, Coal City and Morris Fire Protection Districts jet skis from Wilmington ESDA, and company vessels coordinated Tuesday's search efforts. The Coast Guard provided a vessel to assist with river traffic safety as crews conduct searches.