15 injured, 1 seriously after boat explodes during refueling on Illinois River, police say

Conservation police, in addition to state troopers, responded after studies of a ship hearth on the Illinois River simply earlier than 4:30 p.m. on the Spring Brook Marina in LaSalle County, in line with Illinois State Police.

A number of households had been on the boat, about to prepare to move out on the water when the boat exploded whereas they had been fueling, conservation police stated.

The vessel was apparently having engine issues and went to the marina to refuel. After refuling, they tried to restart the engine when there was an explosion, Sgt. Phillip Wire stated.

The boat had 17 occupants and 13 had been transported to a neighborhood hospital with non-life-threatening accidents, officers stated. The victims vary from “youth” to adults.

A person was additionally life flighted to an space hospital with critical accidents.

A marina worker was amongst these injured, officers stated.

The boat remains to be within the water as officers work to comprise the gas. They plan to be again on the scene Sunday to take away it.

The incident comes as many individuals are celebrating the Memorial Day weekend.

Illinois Division of Pure Sources is investigating.