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Swimmer Swept Away By Dangerous Conditions in Lake Michigan near Highland Park

Swimmer Swept Away By Dangerous Conditions in Lake Michigan
Near Highland Park, IL
Search continues for missing 52-year old Elgin woman 

Highland Park, Illinois – On Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 9:15 AM, the Highland Park Police and Fire Departments and surrounding area public safety responded to an emergency call at Park Avenue Beach in Highland Park. Ten individuals that are part of an independent cold weather swim group entered Lake Michigan from the boat launch area and encountered difficulty due to lake conditions. A 52-year old Elgin woman is still missing.

The United States Coast Guard is providing aerial support with a helicopter that arrived at approximately 11:45 AM. Lake conditions are such that search boats have not able to enter the water. Emergency personnel are continuing their search efforts. Police departments along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Illinois and Wisconsin have been advised to monitor their beaches for the missing swimmer.

Upon arrival, emergency responders established that two swimmers were in distress and were unaccounted for at the scene. Emergency personnel located and brought an unresponsive 46-year old Itasca man to the shore at Park Avenue Beach. The swimmer was immediately transported to Highland Park Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.   

The City is asking anyone along the lake shore with information about the missing swimmer to please contact the City of Highland Park Police Department at 847.432.7730.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.