Child hurt in ziplining accident at Maroa Freedom Festival

MAROA, Ill. (WCIA) -- A juvenile was airlifted to an area hospital following an accident at the Maroa Freedom Festival over the weekend. The accident happened Saturday night and it involved the zipline. Officials from the Maroa Police Department told WCIA that a juvenile was hurt and was taken from the scene in a helicopter, but they were later released from the hospital. Maroa Police were unable to give specific details about what happened and why, and they referred WCIA to an inspector with the Illinois Department of Labor who is conducting the investigation. The inspector did not immediately respond to WCIA's request for comment. The Maroa Fire Department referenced the incident in a Facebook post, but only to suggest that people who find themselves witnessing a similar event in the future avoid photographing or videotaping the event. "While we understand that a medical helicopter landing in Maroa is not an everyday occurrence and that cell phones are part of our daily lives, we ask everyone to please be respectful and considerate of the patient, their family, and the medical personnel working to provide care," officials said. WCIA also reached out to the festival's organizers for a statement, but also did not immediately hear back.