A 13-year-old boy walked into Lake Michigan at a Michigan City, Indiana, beach on Monday evening and did not come back up. By night, officials had pulled their divers out of the water because the lake was hurting the people trying to find him.
Michigan City police and other agencies were called to Washington Park just after 5:30 p.m. for a possible drowning. Bystanders told police a child in red shorts went into the water near the catwalk, just south of the lighthouse, and never resurfaced. Police later confirmed his age.
Several agencies responded, among them the Michigan City Fire Department, Michigan City police, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and La Porte County Emergency Medical Service. Dive teams went in, backed by a drone and a fishing charter boat. A medical helicopter waited on standby.
The water made it close to impossible. Officials described strong currents, waves and poor underwater visibility. After several hours, crews stopped diving.
Four rescuers were hurt. Three Michigan City Fire Department divers were treated for minor injuries at Franciscan Health, and an Indiana DNR diver was injured and checked at the scene.
A lake under warning
NBC Chicago reported that every Lake Michigan beach in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan was under a high swim risk that day. A beach hazards statement from the National Weather Service warned of waves as high as five feet and life-threatening currents. By Tuesday, the weather service listed a moderate swim risk for beaches in the southeastern part of the lake in Indiana, citing breaking waves and lingering currents.
Officials say the search will pick up again once conditions allow. As of Tuesday morning, the Indiana DNR said it planned a visual search because the water was still too dangerous for divers. The incident remains under investigation.
The Michigan City Fire Department urged beachgoers to watch water conditions and obey all posted warnings.
Sources
- Search suspended for 13-year-old who went missing in Lake Michigan due to dangerous conditions
- Search Suspended For Child Missing In Lake Michigan | iHeart
