At least three people are missing Saturday morning after a boat capsized in the Cal-Sag Channel near Palos Hills, Illinois, Friday night, officials said.
The 19-foot boat collided with a 66-foot commercial towing vessel around 11 p.m., according to the Coast Guard.
Police said someone called authorities after hearing a loud a noise near Southwest Highway and the Canal Bridge.
First responders were able to locate the barge and the small pleasure craft but did not see anyone in the water.
Officials confirmed three people were on board the boat at the time of the collision, but said there may have been two others.
Several emergency crews also responded to the scene but fog prevented air crews from being able to help in the search.
According to Sergeant Jeff Crowley with the Worth Police Department, the area is a frequent route for barges.
“I don’t think it is very typical for a pleasure craft to be out this late at night,” Crowley said. “You don’t see a lot of pleasure crafts to be out this late at night.”
Officials said the vessel the boat collided with was a UTV Bill Arnold, which had a cargo of six barges.
According to Chief Warrant Officer Mark Stevens, runoff from this week's rain has left the water murky and makes locating objects difficult.
The channel has been closed to traffic between mile markers 308 and 315, according to the Coast Guard.
Coast Guard officials said three vehicles were found at a nearby boat ramp, two of which were registered to the same address as the capsized boat.
Another vehicle was registered to a person in the same neighborhood.
Police conducted a wellness check at the boat owner’s residence but there was no response, according to authorities.
Greg Bielarz believes the capsized boat belongs to his brother.
“They go out boating every week, have fun,” Bielarz said. “They know there’s barges, they know the dangers, but things happen.”
Authorities were not releasing the names of the missing boaters, but Bielarz said he believes both his brother and his brother’s wife were on the boat.
“That’s my brother,” he said. “We’re hoping for the best.”
Photo Credit: Lauren Petty/NBCChicago
