UpdatedFri, May 7, 2021 at 3:08 pm CT
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Three men died after officials say they ignited explosive black powder at a boat ramp near Starved Rock State Park. (Tim Moran/Patch)
UTICA, IL — Three men died in an explosion near Starved Rock State Park Thursday evening, the LaSalle County coroner's office confirmed Friday. Officials said the men appear to have brought black powder with them to the site and were killed after igniting it.
Authorities said the explosion came from a black powder device along the bank of the Illinois River. First responders were called to the area of Starved Rock State Park near the old Illinois Route 178 bridge at about 7:20 p.m, said Illinois State Police. After more than five hours of searching, emergency crews found the bodies of three men.