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 illinois@bfro.net

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