Twenty-two-year-old Tad Newell was anxious to take his new jet ski out on the Illinois River Tuesday, but things didn't go quite as planned.
Riding along on one of the nicest spring days we've seen so far, Newel suddenly collided with a large, leaping Asian carp. The invasive fish can grow up to 100 pounds and more than 4 feet long.
Tuesday's collision led to the first carp-related rescue that officials in Central Illinois had ever conducted.
Detective Mike Sanders of the Pekin Police Department said Newell was thrown from the jet ski and, when it started taking on water, he couldn't get it started up again.
Sanders said the young man called for help on a cell phone he had with him.
Fire Chief Chuck Lauss' staff soon arrived by rescue boat to save Newell, snagging the jet ski and towing it to dock as well.
Officials say Newell was uninjured. The condition of the carp is unknown.
