Cub Scout Killed in Fall into Illinois Ravine

May 21--A 9-year-old Cub Scout from Lockport was killed over the weekend when he fell about 15 feet into a ravine in Kankakee County as he was hiking with other scouts, police said.

The accident happened at about 4:55 p.m. Saturday as Aiden Ditola was hiking with other boys in Perry Farm Park, said Ken McCabe, a deputy chief with the Kankakee County Sherriff's office.

The boy was with other scouts as they were hiking around an area of the park known as the "Indian Cave" area. As the boys were hiking, the boy lost his balance and fell a short way on another scout who was sitting on a rock, according to McCabe.

After hitting his head on a rock, the boy fell another 15 feet and ended up at the bottom of a ravine, said McCabe.

Officials said the boy was on a trail but the area was steep and rocky, according to a police report.

Emergency crews from Bradley responded and the boy was airlifted to Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead at 1 p.m. Sunday, said McCabe and the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The boy was part of Troop 50 out of Lockport, which was camping at the site this weekend. The boy's father was a chaperone, said McCabe.

Police questioned witnesses and officials are treating the incident as a tragic accident, said McCabe.

The boy suffered head trauma and rib fractures, and an autopsy is being conducted today, officials said.

The area where the accident occurred is in Bradley, Ill., is part of the Bourbonnais Geologic area, and is locally known as the Indian Caves, according to the park's website. It is located within the Perry Farm Park along the Kankakee River and the geological area includes the Bourbonnais Creek and ravine and covers approximately 30 acres of land.

csadovi@tribune.com

Twitter: @csadovi

Copyright 2012 - Chicago Tribune