Winnebago County, IL – A somber search operation abruptly ended recreational activities at Rock Cut State Park on Saturday afternoon as authorities responded to a report of a missing 31-year-old man. Hikers, paddlers, and campers were asked to leave the popular park as Illinois Conservation Police (ICP) initiated an intensive investigation.
Sergeant Audrey Hoftender of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources confirmed that the active search commenced in the early hours of Saturday, July 27th. Local and state law enforcement swiftly mobilized, deploying a K9 unit to scour the extensive park grounds for any sign of the missing individual.
By 3 p.m., the focus of the search intensified and shifted towards Pierce Lake, prompting the decision to evacuate the entirety of the expansive 3,000-acre park. The blare of sirens signaled the urgent need for visitors to leave, causing widespread disruption to weekend plans.
Barbara Reed, who had arrived from Roselle on Friday for a camping getaway, recounted the sudden evacuation. “You can see that the all the boats were coming off too,” she observed, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the park closure. Campers and other park-goers congregated near the fishing pier and the Hickory Hills campground, seeking information and clarity amidst the unfolding situation. “I don’t understand why they would close the park for it, but I guess they’ve got to do what they got to do,” Reed commented, initially perplexed by the park-wide shutdown, but understanding the necessity of the authorities’ actions. The uncertainty was palpable, with Barbara expressing concern about potential campground evacuations, hoping their camping trip wouldn’t be cut short.
Details regarding the identity of the missing man remain undisclosed as the ICP investigation is still active. Sergeant Hoftender stated that the man had not been seen for approximately 24 hours prior to the initiation of the search.
By 5 p.m., Rock Cut State Park was fully evacuated and closed to the public indefinitely. Information regarding the reopening of the park and whether campers would be permitted to return remained unavailable at the time of reporting.
At the scene, the gravity of the situation was underscored by the presence of police tape encircling an orange kayak and a waterlogged life jacket. Eyewitness accounts from hikers indicated that dive teams from the Rockford Fire Department and other local agencies were concentrating their search efforts along the shores of the Hickory Hill campground, suggesting the area was a focal point of the investigation.
Trish Riter, a resident of Roscoe who previously lived adjacent to the park for many years, spoke of her deep connection to Rock Cut State Park. “This is where my husband and I come all the time for peace,” she shared, emphasizing the park’s role as a tranquil escape. “We come for an escape. So this is very sad to hear.” Trish, now residing in Roscoe, sought information from fellow hikers, attempting to piece together fragmented accounts and rumors circulating about a potential water rescue operation. Upon observing the caution-taped kayak, Trish, a mother, reflected on the critical importance of water safety and the consistent use of life jackets. “My daughter knows how to swim, but we still make her wear one,” Trish stated, highlighting her commitment to safety. “Just because you never know, especially now. Now it’s validation for me.”
As visitors departed northern Illinois’ largest state park, they encountered “do not enter” and “closed” signs blocking access roads throughout the property, reinforcing the park’s indefinite closure. Before leaving Rock Cut, Trish articulated a poignant sentiment of gratitude for her loved ones and the simple blessings in her life. “I’m gonna hug my husband, hug my cats, hug my daughter. I’m gonna be grateful for what I have,” the Roscoe resident expressed. “I’m gonna probably say a prayer.”
As of 10 p.m. on Saturday, the Illinois Conservation Police had not released any updates regarding the search and rescue efforts. It is understood that search operations transition to “search and recovery” when the likelihood of rescuing an individual alive diminishes, shifting the focus to recovering a body. Sergeant Hoftender confirmed that the Illinois State Police are assisting with the ongoing investigation.
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