The coroner has released the identity of a man who was found dead after a jet ski crash on the Fox River near McHenry that prompted a major fire department rescue response.
An autopsy showed Jonathan Warner, 33, of McHenry, died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, according to McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein.
The Nunda Rural Fire Protection District responded around 1:54 p.m. Sunday to the area of Kief’s Reef, 3505 South Wright Road in unincorporated McHenry.
Nunda Rural Fire Protection District Communication Specialist Alex Vucha said crews received a report of a water rescue on the Fox River near Burton’s Bridge on Route 176.
A man, later identified as Warner, was reported missing and an overturned jet ski was seen in the middle of the Fox River, Vucha said.
Warner was believed to have crashed into something, which caused him to be thrown into the water, Vucha said.
A second jet skier was traveling in tandem with Warner on a separate watercraft at the time of the incident.
He drove his jet ski to the shore and declined medical treatment.
The Cary, McHenry and Wauconda fire districts were requested to the scene to assist with the search effort.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was soon activated to the box alarm level for additional resources, including divers, boats and sonar equipment.
Fire crews staged near the marina at 3600 Riverside Drive, just south of Route 176.
Vucha said rescuers thoroughly searched the river and located Warner dead just after 3 p.m. in the water in close proximity to his jet ski.
After the discovery, operations were scaled back and crews began picking up and demobilizing.
“The Nunda Rural Fire Protection District extends our appreciation and gratitude to the surrounding agencies who assisted at the scene and covered our District during the incident,” Vucha said.
Rein said Warner was traveling southbound on the Fox River on his jet ski when he presumably struck one of the pillars of Burton’s Bridge. Toxicology results are pending.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is leading the investigation due to the incident occurring on the Fox River.