Podcast: Utica Fire Chief Ben Brown reflects on dramatic rescue at Starved Rock

Firefighters carry a patient out of French Canyon who fell 20-30 feet on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at Starved Rock State Park. A Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) prompted rope and rescuers as far as Marseilles and Princeton. (Scott Anderson)

April 11, 2025 at 5:40 am CDT

Listen to "Utica Fire Chief Ben Brown on a rescue at Starved Rock State Park" on Spreaker.

Illinois Valley Editor Derek Barichello interviews Utica Fire Chief Ben Brown talking about his team’s effort in the rescue of a mother, father and son from an April 1 fall at Starved Rock State Park.

Emergency crews rescued a family who fell on April 1 at French Canyon in Starved Rock State Park.

About 5:57 p.m. that day, 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.

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