A major fire department search is underway after a child went swimming and never resurfaced on the Chain O’ Lakes near the Village of Fox Lake Monday evening.
The Fox Lake Fire Protection District and Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6 p.m. to Myers Bay for a report of a water rescue.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli said it was reported that a person went missing on the Chain O’ Lakes.
The victim, a 15-year-old boy, was swimming and never resurfaced after jumping off a boat, Covelli said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police, along with the fire department, began actively searching.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated to the box alarm level for divers, boats and specialized equipment from fire departments throughout Lake County and McHenry County to respond.
Fire department divers were in the water for an extensive period of time searching for the juvenile.
First responders were also using drones in the search. Divers and boats were launching from Ben Watts Marina, 116 Route 12.
“Thus far, responders have not been able to locate the person,” Covelli said around 8 p.m.
Covelli said the child did not have a life vest when he jumped into the water from the boat.
Fire crews were operating in “recovery mode” and no longer “search mode” due to the amount of time that had passed.
Searches reportedly ended around 8:20 p.m. Monday but it is unclear if the boy had been located.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is the lead investigating agency.