Authorities say a victim was rescued and transported to the hospital after falling off a jet ski in Lake Michigan near Winthrop Harbor and nearly drowning Saturday evening.
The Winthrop Harbor Fire Department responded around 6:20 p.m. Saturday to the area of North Point Marina, 701 North Point Drive, for a report of a water obstruction.
A caller reported a wire or rebar in the water and fire crews went to South Beach to investigate.
Crew members were investigating when they observed a person on a jet ski signaling for help and blowing a whistle on Lake Michigan.
Multiple bystanders also reported seeing an individual in the water in distress.
A fire boat was immediately deployed to conduct a water rescue.
Rescuers arrived and located a victim at the surface who was in “severe distress” and at imminent risk of drowning.
Firefighters worked swiftly to rescue the victim and bring them to the North Point Marina boat launch.
An ambulance met the boat at the launch site and transported the person to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan for treatment.
“We thank the witnesses who quickly reported the emergency and our responders who took immediate action to prevent a potential tragedy,” fire officials said.
Earlier this week, a 20-year-old man died after he was rescued from Lake Michigan while swimming at the Illinois Beach State Park near Zion.
Zion Fire and Rescue Department Deputy Chief Eric Troy said reports indicated a swimmer had gone underwater on Lake Michigan and did not resurface at the North Unit beach.
Luis Espinoza Contreras, 20, of Waukegan, was located by a diver approximately 10 feet below the water surface and brought to a fire boat.
An ambulance rushed him to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan in critical condition. Espinoza Contreras was later pronounced dead in the emergency room.
Troy said that while the recent restoration of the Illinois Beach State Park has created an attractive and inviting shoreline, the lake can be “deceptively dangerous,” even on calm days.
“Swimmers are urged to exercise extreme caution, as hazardous currents may be present even when not visibly apparent. Use of personal flotation devices is strongly recommended for all individuals entering the water,” he added.