Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
An Itasca man died and an Elgin woman is missing after encountering dangerous conditions while swimming in Lake Michigan on Sunday.
Authorities responded about 9:15 a.m. to the Park Avenue Beach in Highland Park, where 10 people involved in an independent cold-weather swim group entered the water from the boat launch area and were struggling in the rough conditions. Two swimmers were in distress and were unaccounted for at the scene.
An unresponsive 46-year-old Itasca man was pulled out of the water by
emergency respondersfire department divers and taken to Highland Park Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His identity has not been released.A 52-year-old Elgin woman remained missing as of Sunday evening.
Boats were unable to enter the water because of the high waves and hazardous conditions. Firefighters searched from the shore, and a Coast Guard helicopter arrived about 11:45 a.m. to assist.
Just before 4 p.m., the aircrew suspended its search of a roughly 10-square-mile area near where the woman was last seen. Highland Park officials said Sunday evening their search efforts are continuing, and police departments along the Lake Michigan shoreline have been asked to monitor their beaches for the missing swimmer.
The National Weather Service on Sunday afternoon warned of strong winds of nearly 40 mph and waves reaching 10 feet high along the lakefront. Water temperatures were about 55 degrees.
Anyone with information about the missing swimmer is asked to contact the Highland Park Police Department at (847) 432-7730.
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
Max Weingardt photo
