Two Boys Airlifted After Water Scare at Illinois State Park

Two boys, aged 11 and 12, were airlifted to hospital after a water-related incident at Matthiessen State Park. The park lies roughly 90 miles southwest of Chicago. The scare unfolded during a school field trip on Friday afternoon. The incident began around 12:45 p.m. when one of the boys, either 11 or 12, inhaled water while roughhousing in the park’s water. He quickly lost consciousness, prompting immediate action from those nearby.

CPR was performed on the unconscious boy before police arrived at the scene. The effort succeeded in reviving him, and by the time emergency services reached the area, both children were breathing and alert. Both boys were then airlifted to a hospital in Peoria. Upon arrival, medical staff noted signs of shock in each of them. Despite the frightening ordeal, their injuries were confirmed as non-life-threatening.

The boys remain under medical care following the incident. Their condition has stabilised, with no lasting threats to their health. Authorities have not released further details about the ongoing investigation.