Search For Boy's Body Below Illinois Dam Is Narrowed, Days After Boat Was Swept Away

CLINTON, Ill. (AP) _ Authorities narrowed the search for the body of a missing 8-year-old boy Tuesday, nearly a week after his grandfather's boat was swept over the spillway. <br/><br/>Kalin L. Hunter

Tuesday, March 20th 2007, 8:51 pm

By: News On 6

CLINTON, Ill. (AP) _ Authorities narrowed the search for the body of a missing 8-year-old boy Tuesday, nearly a week after his grandfather's boat was swept over the spillway.

Kalin L. Hunter disappeared Wednesday when the 17-foot-aluminum fishing boat apparently ran out of gas on Clinton Lake. The bodies of his grandfather, Richard L. Hunter, 59, and uncle, Jason C. Hunter, 29, were found Thursday.

Searchers used underwater cameras to search for the boy's body because the water was too rough for divers. Authorities earlier Tuesday had indicated they found the body.

Searchers have identified a general area where they believe the body is, but strong currents and debris are hampering efforts, said Chris McCloud, a spokesman for the state Department of Natural Resources.

``Now, they have to pinpoint the actual spot before they send a diver underwater,'' he said.

Autopsies showed the boy's two relatives drowned, and officials said alcohol was not a factor.

Clinton Lake is a 5,000-acre reservoir in central Illinois.