16-year-old boy dies after rescue from Lake Michigan near Montrose Beach: CFD

Monday, June 17, 2024
16-year-old boy dies after rescue from Lake Michigan: CFD
Chicago fire crews rescued a teen in critical condition from Lake Michigan near Montrose Beach after two fell from a raft, CPD said. He later died.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A teen boy died after being rescued from Lake Michigan on the city's North Side Monday morning, the Chicago Fire Department said.

CFD said winds were strong when two people on an inflatable device ran into trouble near Montrose Beach around 9 a.m.

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Emergency responders on the scene performed CPR on a 16-year-old boy, who had been under water for 30 minutes, CFD said.

"Saw the fire department helicopter found probably the location. Dropped in divers, swam out to the location and brought him in. Did CPR on him, used the AED and took him away," said witness Mike Roberts.

The teen boy died after being taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital in critical condition, CFD said.

Chicago police said a 16-year-old girl survived after a witness pulled her to shore.

One woman didn't want to be identified, but said she ran to get the life ring at the beach house, which she described as far from the shoreline.

"I probably will be traumatized for a while," she said. "I ran back and gave it to someone to take out there. At that point, didn't see the male anymore. Then, a kayak helped the girl come back. There were about four or five people out there trying to help them."

CPD said the two teens were onboard a raft when it flipped over. Chicago fire officials initially said the teens were on a jet ski.

Area Three detectives are investigating the incident.

Just hours later, paramedics took two other people to the hospital from Montrose Harbor after what CFD called a "near-drowning" incident late Monday afternoon.

Water safety reminders

Montrose Beach was crowded Monday as a string of hot days began. CFD on X, formerly known as Twitter, asked the public to wear flotation gear when on a jet ski or any boat in water, even close to shore.

The Park District staff reminded beach-goers that floatation devices are not allowed, only life vests.

"If people are in other types of floatation devices, they are not safe. They are not secure. they could be blown out into water. If they are a non-swimmer, they could be blown out into deeper water and not be able to make it back, or those devices can flip over and get into a lot of trouble, especially if they are not wearing life vests," said Chicago Park District North Region Assistant Manager of Beaches and Pools Eric Bushonville.

Lifeguards are not on-duty until 11 a.m.

"The beaches are open 11 to 7, seven days a week until Labor Day. We recommend that everybody only swim when lifeguards are on-duty and swim near a lifeguard," Bushonville said. "We want everyone to enjoy it, and we want everyone to enjoy it in a safe way."

Since Saturday, there have been at least seven people involved in water emergencies on Lake Michigan in the Chicago area.

A woman's body was recovered from Lake Michigan near Winnetka Monday morning, after a small boat capsized Sunday night.

Another man remains missing after reportedly falling off a boat in the "Playpen" Saturday.