DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Mother nature caused a utility barge to sink on Lake Decatur Wednesday, firefighters said.
Firefighters said they responded after 4 p.m. to the boat docks near the Beach House restaurant in Decatur. According to crews, the situation began when choppy waters from high winds caused a Decatur city-owned utility barge to slam up against a wall. The chains eventually broke and the boat sank.
Since it weighs 40,000 pounds, responders had to find something just as heavy to remove it from the water and used a crane.
A dive team that responded to the scene got into the water and attached the barge to the crane. They had to wear dry suits due to the cold temperature of the Lake Decatur water.
There were no injuries. It's unclear if the barge is salvageable.
