On Saturday, July 5th, 2025, at 10:33 PM, Hancock/Henderson 911 and Henderson County Dispatch received reports of three individuals lost in a cornfield or wooded area east of Oquawka near Henderson Creek. The information indicated that the individuals had been kayaking on Henderson Creek and became disoriented after leaving the creek area during the day. In response, the Oquawka Fire Protection District, Oquawka Ambulance, and Deputies were dispatched to assist in locating them. The Sheriff’s Office deployed their drone equipped with a thermal camera and spotlight alongside the Fire District’s thermal cameras to aid in the search. Communication between Hancock/Henderson 911 and a Deputy helped approximate the location of those missing. A Deputy navigated through challenging terrain to locate two of them initially; they were attended by Oquawka Ambulance personnel while efforts continued for the third person. The Deputy re-entered the timbered area and successfully found the third individual. All three were treated for exhaustion and dehydration by Oquawka Ambulance staff.
***Courtesy of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page***
