DeKalb man injured after falling 25 feet at Starved Rock State Park

Injuries not believed to be life-threatening, conservation police say

Oglesby and Utica Fire and EMS load a male subject into a Ottawa River Rescue boat near the trailhead to La Salle Canyon on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at Starved Rock State Park. — Oglesby and Utica Fire and EMS load a DeKalb man onto an Ottawa River Rescue boat Wednesday, July 17, 2024, near the La Salle Canyon trailhead at Starved Rock State Park. (Scott Anderson)

July 18, 2024 at 5:35 am CDT

A 76-year-old DeKalb man was taken to OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa after falling about 25 feet down a slope near La Salle Canyon at Starved Rock State Park and into a creek, conservation police said.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Sgt. Phil Wire said the man, who will not be cited, lost his footing and tumbled down a slope. Wire said the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

A medical helicopter was summoned as a precaution, but it was not needed, Wire said. The Utica, Wallace and Oglesby fire departments responded for a rope rescue, along with Ottawa River Rescue, which assisted in transporting the man.

1 of 10

Oglesby and Utica Fire and EMS attend to a rescue Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the bottom of La Salle Canyon for a man who fell at Starved Rock State Park. (Scott Anderson)