Search On FOR 3 In Cal-Sag Channel - USCG

The Coast Guard and local agencies are searching for at least three people in the Cal-Sag Channel near Palos Hills, Illinois, following a vessel collision late Friday evening.

The names of the persons are not being released.

Just before 11 p.m. local time, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan in Milwaukee were notified by the 66-foot UTV Bill Arnold of a collision with a 19-foot pleasure craft in the Cal-Sag Channel near mile marker 311.

Sector Lake Michigan dispatched a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Calumet Harbor, Illinois, aboard a 25-foot response boat. They also requested a Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Waukegan, Illinois, but aircrews have been unable to assist in the search due to fog.

Also searching are the Palos Hills and Lockport, Illinois, Fire Departments, with dive teams and side-scan sonar aboard.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Chicago and the Palos Hills and Worth Police Departments are also on scene and assisting from shore.

Shortly after the search began, a crew from the Palos Hills FD located a part of the vessel that included the vessel identification.

Three vehicles were located at a nearby boat ramp. Two are registered to the boat owner's address and one is registered to a person at an address in the same neighborhood.

A wellness check was also conducted by local police at the boat owner's residence with no response.

For the safety of those involved in the search, a safety zone has been set up on the channel by the Coast Guard around the area, and the channel has been closed to vessel traffic between mile marker 308 and mile marker 315.

The UTV Bill Arnold had a cargo of six barges. There have been no reports of any pollution.

The Coast Guard will release additional information as it becomes available.