70-year-old man critical after being pulled from Lake Michigan at Montrose Harbor: Chicago police

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 70-year-old man was hospitalized in critical condition after becoming submerged in Lake Michigan near Montrose Harbor on Wednesday afternoon, according to Chicago police.

Witnesses described a frantic rescue effort as bystanders and emergency crews responded to the incident, which occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday.

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"We saw these people, like a group of people, waving to the lifeguard boat, screaming help, help. And, basically, the lifeguard boat drove over and then they hopped out and then they started performing CPR, like, right away," witness Hudson Hogan said.

The emergency unfolded on an otherwise sunny day along the lakefront. Chicago police said bystanders jumped into action to save the man after he became submerged in the water.

Hogan said the scene left many people at the harbor shaken.

"We immediately got out of the water because it was really, like, unsettling to even be in the water and see them performing CPR from afar. And, we were all just praying and just everyone was quiet. The whole ledge just went quiet," he said.

Chopper 7 was over the scene as the man was loaded into an ambulance and transported to St. Joseph Hospital. Police said he was initially listed in critical condition.

The water rescue incident has renewed concerns about water safety among advocates, including Dave Benjamin of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.

"We need to understand that drowning is a public health issue, and it continues to be a neglected public health issue," Benjamin said.

Benjamin said the organization tracks drownings across the Great Lakes and believes many could be prevented through increased education and safety efforts. He said the latest incident underscores the need for additional attention and funding for water safety.

"The 15-year-old that drowned in the Chain O'Lakes did not have to happen. We are not teaching the basics of water safety," Benjamin said.

According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, there have been more than 40 drownings in the Great Lakes so far this year. The organization says nearly half occur in Lake Michigan, on average.