On May 30, 2011 at appx. 2:00P CPO and myself received a call from Dist. #21 ISP radio that a boat accident had occured on the Kankakee River in Kankakee and the victim was transported by ambulance to Riverside Hospital in Kankakee, Il. We responded by boat and while loading the boat at the Beckman Harbor launch in Kankakee we were approached by another vessel, IL 8750 HU, who stated they observed the accident. The subject identified himself, and he stated a pontoon boat was going downstream on plane under the I-57 bridge when a passenger who was standing hit the bridge. 
     We arrived at Riverside Hospital and spoke with the victim in the emergency room. He was identified.
Also present was his gilfriend  who was also on the boat at the time of the accident. They stated that Victim was standing on the front deck of the pontoon boat looking the opposite way of the bridge and as the boat passed under the bridge he turned and hit his forehead on the bottom of the bridge. They stated the water was high lowering clearance and there was a passing large wake which caused the pontoon boat to bounce in the choppy waves. They also stated Victim was grabbing subject’s son to secure him from the bounce at the time of the accident. Victim had a large laceration on the forehead. They provided information that the boat and operator  was possibly at Beckman Harbor. subject stated her young son was also on the boat and was with two others at this time. . 
I phoned Riverside Hospital and discovered Victim was admitted overnight. I phoned his room and he stated he was kept for observation as there were indications of a fracture. He added he was presently awaiting the doctor to visit and prepare him for discharge. 


Kankakee                      