6-year-old boy's body pulled from water after disappearing in Kankakee River

KANKAKEE, Ill. - The body of a 6-year-old boy who reportedly fell into the Kankakee River on Tuesday afternoon has been pulled from the water.

Officials say the child was trying to reach for his ball, which had been swept away, when he ended up in the river.

The incident unfolded just after 3 p.m. at Beckham Park, located in the 1600 block of Cobb Boulevard.

SkyFOX was over the scene where officers could be seen searching the river adjacent to the park, which is just south of the downtown Kankakee area.

"It’s very hard to process and life is so fragile, that’s the first thing that comes to my mind, life is so fragile," said a witness who was shaken up and did not wish to be identified.

A summer afternoon spent enjoying the park quickly turned into the unimaginable for one local family. Officials say a young child was with his mother and other relatives when tragedy unfolded.

"They were on the dock playing, there was a ball involved, and the ball went in the river," said Kankakee Police Chief Chris Kidwell.

Chief Kidwell says the tragedy unfolded quickly. The boy fell into the water and soon, officials say, he did not resurface.

Witnesses described a desperate search where at least two good Samaritans jumped into the river in hopes to save the child's life. Others hurriedly called 911.

"This guy heard the mother screaming. He came over here immediately, took off his shoes, jumped into the water but he couldn’t swim," the witness said.

At least one other bystander went into the Kankakee River – frantically trying to help.

"They just couldn’t reach to the child," said Kidwell.

For more than two hours, emergency crews searched the river.

With assistance from neighboring departments, including the Minooka Fire Department, Kankakee fire officials used sonar to find the young boy’s body – but recent storm activity complicated their efforts.

"It makes the current much stronger, the water much murkier, and the debris coming down is much more dangerous," said Bryan La Roche, Kankakee Fire Department.

The child's body was pulled from the river just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A family member tells FOX 32 Chicago the child would have started first grade this fall.

Now, the boy’s loved ones are grappling with a gut-wrenching loss; one that has also left the community heartbroken.

"Anytime you lose a life, it’s difficult, but when it’s a young boy or girl, it’s even more tragic. They haven’t lived their full life yet," said Kankakee Mayor Christopher Curtis.

Family has identified the boy, but at this time FOX 32 Chicago is not releasing his name.

Sadly, this isn't the first drowning in the Kankakee River this summer. Less than one month ago, a 58-year-old man died when he did not resurface after going overboard.