5 year-old girl survives in deathly boat trip

A 5-year-old Illinois girl who disappeared with her grandfather while boating two days ago was discovered by searchers Friday, hours after the man's body was pulled from the Kankakee River.

Photo: 5 year-old girl survives in deathly boat trip

Knowing that David Klamecki was dead made it all the more stunning when searchers saw Hannah Klamecki, a little dirty, but unhurt, walking out of the woods to them, Kankakee County sheriff's officials said.

"People were like, 'Who's that little girl? That can't be her, can it?"' Chief Deputy Ken McCabe said. "I went up to her (and) asked, 'How you doing? What's your name?"'

Searchers gave the suburban Chicago girl food and water and took her to a hospital as a precaution, McCabe said.

"She looked in pretty good shape," he said. "We were most certainly surprised to find her alive and well."

The result was "about as close to outstanding that you can wish for," McCabe said. "It's a tragedy that the gentleman drowned. It's a bittersweet moment that she was OK."

The girl and her grandfather had been last seen Wednesday evening on the river near Momence, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) south of Chicago.

Searchers from several agencies combed the area with the help of a team of divers, sonar equipment and a helicopter. They found the body of David Klamecki, 62, of Momence, in the water near a small island on Friday morning.

Investigators "believe (the body) was caught in a log jam and just got released by the current," Kankakee County Undersheriff Brad O'Keefe said.

The girl told searchers her grandfather had gone swimming, O'Keefe said.