Published on August 3, 2025 5:35 pm
Last Updated on August 3, 2025 5:36 pm
(CREWS WORKING LATE SATURDAY NIGHT NEAR WREN BRIDGE IN FAYETTE COUNTY)
The body of a nine-year-old girl was recovered from a log jam near the Wren Bridge in Fayette County.
Authorities had been attempting to recover the girl since she became stuck under a log about 2:30pm Saturday. As deputies arrived on scene they were told that the girl had been swept underneath the logs and debris in the water and was no longer able to be located.
Law enforcement and emergency service agencies as well as volunteers continued their efforts to recover the body until 3am Sunday, then resumed their efforts at about 8am Sunday. The girl’s body was recovered just after 11am Sunday.
First information is that the girl is from Mattoon, but her name is not yet being released. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death in Springfield on Tuesday morning.
The large number of those providing assistance at the scene included:
Law Enforcement
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County Dispatch, Vandalia Police Department Dispatch, St. Elmo Police Department, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers, and the ILEAS Unified Command Post
Fire Departments
Ramsey Fire Protection District, St Elmo Fire Protection District, Brownstown Fire Protection District and Tri County Fire along with MABAS Districts 54, 58, and 64 for providing light towers.
Medical Providers
Rural Med, Arch Air Medical and the American Red Cross
Dive Teams
Fayette County, Effingham County, Shelby County and Keyesport Dive Teams
Excavating Services
Washburn Excavating Services, Neeley Farms
Fayette County Sheriff’ Office would also like to thank Ben Hortenstine for providing rock to allow for rescue boats to access the river. We would also like to thank so many other people for providing items such as a port a potty, food and drinks to all the first responders and volunteers during this search as there were way too many to name individually.
