Two young boys were airlifted from Matthiessen State Park in Lasalle County during school trip on Friday, authorities said.
Around 12:45 p.m., authorities were dispatched to the state park for a report of CPR in progress on an unconscious juvenile near the Lower Dells area of the park, authorities said.
A 12-year-old boy and an 11-year-old boy were “roughhousing” in the water at the park when they inhaled water and lost consciousness, authorities said.
The two boys were at the park with a group of more than 50 students from their school, authorities said, and an adult with the group started CPR while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.
Conservation Police, Oglesby Fire and Ambulance, Utica Fire Department, and park staff responded to the emergency, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
First responders rendered aid to the boys when they arrived and requested medical helicopters airlift them to a local hospital for continued care, authorities said.
The boys both showed signs of shock and distress but were conscious and breathing when airlifted.
No additional information was immediately available.
