YEAR: 2008

SEASON: Spring

MONTH: May

DATE: 5

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Christian County

LOCATION DETAILS: Near the South Fork of the Sangamon River bridge on Illinois Route 48, two miles southwest of Taylorville.

NEAREST TOWN: Taylorville

NEAREST ROAD: Illinois Route 48

OBSERVED: My dad and I were heading for Taylorville from Morrisonville when we came over a small hill. My dad started to hyperventilate and was starring at something up ahead.

I looked back up the road and there was a very tall upright animal walking across the road, stepped over the guard rail and disappeared underneath the bridge. Just that fast it was gone, and we didn't see it again.

I had an appointment at noon so I know this was maybe 10 minutes before then. It is just two miles from Taylorville where the bridge goes over the South Fork of the Sangamon River. I had my dog with me also and he had his head out the window and was acting up by what he was smelling.

ALSO NOTICED: I had my dog with me also and he had his head out the window and was acting up by what he was smelling.

OTHER WITNESSES: Yes, my dad.

OTHER STORIES: None at that time.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Just before noon. Daylight.

ENVIRONMENT: Wooded creek just before the bridge that crosses the South Fork of the Sangamon River.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with both the father and son by phone.

In Summary:

- The animal was 9 - 10 feet tall.
- The body build was huge and muscular.
- The shoulders were very wide.
- The hair was black in color.
- The animal casually stepped over the guard rail and went out of sight underneath the bridge.
- Neither witness was able to see the face.

There was a sighting near this same bridge later in the same year, please see BFRO Report # 28703

About BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

Stan Courtney has a special interest in wildlife audio recording. He has attended numerous BFRO Expeditions. See Stan's blog StanCourtney.com for recordings he has collected over the years.

Stan Courtney can be reached at [email protected]

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