An 18-year-old man swimming in Lake Michigan near Illinois Beach State Park in Winthrop Harbor, who died after going under the water and not resurfacing, has been identified by the coroner.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office has identified the man as JC Lindsey, 18, of Zion. An autopsy was performed Friday and the coroner said the results are consistent with drowning. Toxicology results are pending.
Winthrop Harbor Fire Chief Justin Stried said that the fire department was called to a report of a swimmer under the water in Lake Michigan near Camp Logan at the Illinois Beach State Park at around 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.
A fire boat was launched into the water and Lindsey was located a short time later near the North Unit entrance off of 17th Street. Officials said that he was located 5 to 10 feet under the water. Divers entered the water and retrieved the man.
“He was not breathing at the time of his rescue. CPR was quickly started and the patient was transported to the shore, where an ambulance crew was ready for the patient,” Winthrop Harbor Fire Chief Justin Stried said.
Lindsey was transported to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan where he was pronounced dead.
Several people were around when the man went under the water. Authorities said that the man was swimming with a woman friend. The woman told officials that she heard the 18-year-old scream and when she turned around, he appeared to start swimming again and then went under the water.
Officials from the state park said that the water was reportedly calm on Wednesday.
The Zion Fire Rescue Department and the Beach Park Fire Department assisted the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department at the scene.