FRANKLIN COUNTY — A Herrin man who crashed his car into Rend Lake on Friday morning had apparently suffered a medical emergency.

Illinois State Police reports indicate that 70-year-old Thomas C. McDonald, of Herrin, was driving his Ford Taurus northbound on Interstate 57 when he had a medical episode. McDonald left the roadway near mile marker 79 around 11:47 AM and plunged into Rend Lake.

Nearby boaters were able to get to McDonald and take him back to the shore.  McDonald was transported to SSM Health/Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon for treatment of injuries.