3 Men Died After Igniting Black Powder Near Starved Rock: Coroner

Chicago IL

07 May, 2021

11:27 AM

Description

UTICA, IL — Three men died in an explosion near Starved Rock State Park Thursday evening, the LaSalle County coroner's office confirmed Friday. Officials said the men appear to have brought black powder with them to the site and were killed after igniting it. Authorities said the explosion came from a black powder device along the bank of the Illinois River. First responders were called to the area of Starved Rock State Park near the old Illinois Route 178 bridge at about 7:20 p.m, said Illinois State Police. After more than five hours of searching, emergency crews found the bodies of three men. "With assistance from the State Police, the Kane County Bomb Squad Unit and the FBI, it was determined that the individuals appeared to have ignited a type of black powder substance along an area near the river bank," LaSalle County Coroner Rich Ploch said in a statement. Ploch confirmed all three died from injuries related to the explosion, but the final cause and manner of death is pending autopsy results. The men's names have not been released. "This is an isolated incident and there is no concern for public safety at this time," said officials from the Illinois State Police. Anyone with information regarding the explosion cant contact the ISP DCI Zone 3 at 815-726-6377. This is a developing story. Check back with Patch for updates.