Crews rescue Tinley Park mother, child after Starved Rock fall

Emergency crews rescued a family who fell Tuesday at French Canyon in Starved Rock State Park.

About 5:57 p.m., emergency responders were called to Starved Rock after a 7-year-old child with special needs accidentally fell almost 30 feet onto the sandstone floor of the French Canyon, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Sgt. Phil Wire said.

The child’s 37-year-old mother, from Tinley Park, tried to rescue him but fell as well, suffering serious injuries in the process.

The father then tried to reach both his partner and child but also slipped, suffering minor injuries.

The father refused medical treatment at the scene, but the mother and child both were flown to OSF St. Francis in Peoria.

Wire said that both the mother and son suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. They were conscious and alert at the time of the rescue. The child suffered injuries to his arm, while the mothers exact injuries have not been disclosed.

Assistance from the following agencies were provided at the scene: Oglesby fire, Ottawa fire, Princeton fire, Streator fire, Marseilles fire, Wallace fire, Mendota fire, the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, Utica police and fire, Illinois State Police, Illinois Conservation Police and OSF Flight. The MABAS Division 25 provided scene assistance for the family.

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Firefighters lift an individual out of French Canyon who fell 20 to 30 feet on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at Starved Rock State Park. The activated Mutual Aid Box Alarm System prompted rope and rescuers as far as Marseilles and Princeton. (Scott Anderson)