Crews search for missing swimmer in Lake Michigan near Highland Park, officials say

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Emergency crews spent hours searching for a swimmer who went missing Saturday in Lake Michigan in the north suburbs.

The water search area is near in Highland Park, Illinois, city officials said.

Officials on scene said it is now a recovery operation. Crews searched until 6 p.m. Saturday and will return Sunday morning.

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The swimmer went missing around noon near Openlands Lakeshore Preserve at Fort Sheridan, a Highland Park spokesperson said.

The missing person's age, gender and identity have not been released.

A bystander attempted to help a person struggling in the water, but lost them due to strong currents.

Jessie Baker says she saw a woman go in the water to help.

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(SOURCE: Stringer)
Jessie Baker, Witness
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there was woman on the beach who saw someone struggling...went down underwater. She swam out and was attempting to help them and find them. And then another boat started seeing her struggling.

Peter Mordini, who was out on his boat, said he saw the bystander in distress, and also tried to help.

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Peter Mordini, Boater
"She said please help us there is someone out here drowning and we had another boat pick her up because she was getting tired," Mordini said. "I went down about 8 feet down and you could see the bottom. We swam about, got my snorkel, swam about 20 minutes and we just lost sight of him after that.

A dive team member was briefly reported missing during search for the missing swimmer, but was later found safe and uninjured, officials said.

A large emergency response could still be seen in the area Saturday afternoon.

The public was asked to stay away from the area as crews searched. The area opened again to boaters around 6p.m. Saturday, officials said.

The search is expected to resume around 8 a.m. Sunday.

No further information was immediately available.