A woman rescued a young child, who is recovering, after he nearly drowned in Lake Michigan at the Illinois Beach State Park near Zion Monday afternoon.
The Zion Fire and Rescue Department, Beach Park Fire Department, Illinois Department of Conservation Police and Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 2:15 p.m. Monday to the Illinois Beach State Park, 1 Lake Front Drive in unincorporated Zion, for a report of a water rescue.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said it was reported that two people were in distress in Lake Michigan.
Deputies learned bystanders swam and aided in the rescue.
Both people in distress were removed from the water and walked to the ambulance, Covelli said.
Covelli said one of the victims refused medical treatment and the other, a juvenile, was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Andrea Swart, a 25-year-old Waukegan resident, said she was at the beach with her family when she heard commotion.
A family began screaming for help and Swart saw a child, who she said was 8-11 years old, floating away after he got swept under the water.
The family was unable to rescue the boy.
Swart and her sister jumped into the water and attempted to rescue him.
Swart’s sister got close to the boy but could not continue. Swart was able to reach the boy, who was struggling.
She tried getting him air but in the process went under the water and also nearly drowned. A man came out and brought a life raft to them.
The boy vomited the water he ingested and is doing well in the hospital, Swart said, adding that she has been in contact with the mother of the child.
The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards statement for Lake County Monday afternoon warning about high wave action and dangerous currents on Lake Michigan.