Man dies after being pulled from submerged vehicle at Rend Lake

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill., (KBSI) — An adult male has died after being rescued from a submerged vehicle at Rend Lake, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Franklin County Office of Emergency Management and Communications received a 911 call at approximately 5:41 p.m. Monday from a fisherman reporting a vehicle in the water at the Rend Lake Conservancy District Boat Ramp along Illinois Route 154 near Larry Foster Parkway.

Multiple fire and law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, along with AMR Ambulance. Personnel from the Benton Fire Department Dive Team, assisted by an Illinois State Trooper, entered the water and removed the man from the vehicle.

Life-saving measures were initiated at the scene. The man was transported to Franklin Hospital and later airlifted to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. Authorities said they were notified at approximately 4:30 a.m. Tuesday that the man had died.

Additional agencies assisting at the scene included MABAS Division 68/45 Dive and Sonar Team, the Franklin County Office of Emergency Management Dive Team, Sesser Fire Protection District, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois State Police.

The incident remains under investigation by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.