Sheriff’s deputies rescued three swimmers in distress from the Chain O’ Lakes in Lake County “before tragedy struck” while they were celebrating a bachelor party Saturday afternoon.
Lake County sheriff’s deputies were on patrol around 2:50 p.m. Saturday on Petite Lake in unincorporated Lake Villa.
They were using personal watercrafts (PWCs) provided by Nielsen Enterprises through Sea Doo’s public safety loan program, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli said.
The operator of a rental boat flagged down the deputies for help.
The operator of the boat, which was carrying several people celebrating a bachelor party, reported that he was an inexperienced boat operator and was looking for his three friends who were missing in the water, Covelli said.
Sheriff’s deputies began searching and located the three about 100 yards away from the rental boat.
The swimmers were showing signs of distress and struggling to stay afloat in the water.
Covelli said deputies quickly maneuvered to the swimmers before they slipped beneath the surface and instructed them to grab onto one of the rescue bars on the personal watercrafts.
All three were safely rescued and returned to the rental boat.
“We have worked hard over the years to build and strengthen our Marine Unit, and this is exactly why. Three young adults who had been drinking and were not wearing life jackets could have lost their lives,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
“Because our Marine Unit was on the water and ready to respond, and thanks to our valued partnership with Nielsen Enterprises, which provides the personal watercraft our deputies use, they were rescued before tragedy struck,” Idleburg said.
The operator of the rental boat was not found to be operating under the influence but alcohol was a factor for the swimmers rescued, Covelli said.