Two men were transported to the hospital after three separate swimmer-in-distress incidents just minutes apart on Lake Michigan at the Illinois Beach State Park near Zion.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Police, Beach Park Fire Department, Zion Fire-Rescue Department and Winthrop Harbor Fire Department responded around 2:15 p.m. Sunday to the Illinois Beach State Park, 1 Lake Front Drive, for a report of a water rescue.
Beach Park Fire Department Lt. Andrew Morelli said an adult male was struggling in the water due to the current and rough waves.
It was initially reported he was possibly unconscious but it was later learned he had gotten out of the water before crews arrived.
The man was awake and talking, Morelli said. He declined transport to the hospital.
While fire crews were still on the scene, a second person in distress was reported in the same area at the main beach.
Firefighters got into their rescue suits and began entering the water, Morelli said. They assisted an adult male out of the water.
He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation.
A third incident occurred around the same time involving another adult male, Morelli said. The man and his wife approached first responders after the man was able to get out of the water.
He had been struggling due to the rough waves and was experiencing difficulty breathing, Morelli said. He was also transported by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation.
Morelli said people need to understand how dangerous Lake Michigan is. “It’s more like an ocean,” he said, adding that his department responded to a large increase in incidents on Lake Michigan this summer.
The National Weather Service on Sunday afternoon issued a beach hazards statement, which remains in effect until Tuesday evening.
The weather service warned of high wave action and dangerous currents at Lake Michigan beaches, with waves of 6-10 feet expected.
“Swimming conditions will be life threatening, especially for inexperienced swimmers,” the statement said.