Teen's body recovered from Des Plaines River

Located just about 150 yards from Melrose Park railroad bridge

Thursday, May 18th, 2017 2:14 PM

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A recovery crew searches the bank of the Des Plaines River on the morning of May 18, in the vicinity where they found the body of 16-year-old Cameron Sanders, who was reported missing after jumping from a Melrose Park railroad bridge on May 13. | William Camargo/Staff

By Bob Uphues

Senior Editor

Emergency personnel recovered the body of a 16-year-old Villa Park boy from the Des Plaines River on May 18, about 150 yards from the railroad bridge where witnesses said he entered the water.

The Cook County Sheriff's Police are continuing their investigation into the death of Cameron Sanders, who on May 13 reportedly jumped from the "Rainbow Bridge," a Canadian National Railway bridge that spans the river just south of North Avenue in Thatcher Woods in Melrose Park. His body was recovered from the river at about 10:25 a.m. on Thursday.

According to published reports, Sanders and several other teenagers were hanging out near the bridge and that two others had also jumped into the river at the same time. Sanders was the only teen who did not exit the water safely.

In the wake of the May 13 incident, Sheriff Tom Dart has demanded that the Canadian National Railway secure the bridge, which is not marked by signs and is not fenced off from the surrounding forested area.

Contact:
Email: buphues@wjinc.com Twitter: @RBLandmark

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Brian Slowiak Facebook Verified

Posted: May 20th, 2017 11:22 AM

Was that the incident where the railroad cars were to high and couldn't pass under bridges I b Forest Park?

Bill Dwyer Facebook Verified

Posted: May 20th, 2017 10:23 AM

There was a CSX train derailment in Forest Park on November 29th, 2005, by a train that rolled over that bridge minutes before. And the CN and CSX (which owns the tracks south of Madison Street) didn't stop regular use of the tracks until late 2008 or so.

Brian Slowiak Facebook Verified

Posted: May 19th, 2017 9:09 PM

The Salt Creek trail uses a bridge to cross Salt Creek. A CN trail would cross Madison , Thatcher and First Avenue.

Nan DEVito from River Forest Facebook Verified

Posted: May 19th, 2017 8:01 PM

What nonsense! The Canadian Railroad certainly never used that rotting bridge since 2003. My windows face it. It should be removed. A trail should be finally put in place . The Salt Creek paved trail is an excellent example of a well used trail. A marker to youth, dreamers and nature lovers should be placed. Cameron died there. This is tragic and a donation to the Home School Legal Defense Fund in his name is a great way you honor him and encourage all home-schoolers.

Terence Jones Facebook Verified

Posted: May 18th, 2017 9:19 PM

After they secure and fence the bridge, the next moves would be to fence the whole river bank then add higher railings on every bridge from Zion all the way south. Once that is done, perhaps the funding will be appropriated for "The Wall".

Brian Slowiak Facebook Verified

Posted: May 18th, 2017 8:51 PM

The trail would need a bridge to cross the river.

Liita Forsyth Facebook Verified

Posted: May 18th, 2017 7:16 PM

The Canadian National Railway needs to take that bridge down. The RR line is not even active. It's time for the Rail to become a Trail.

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