Woman, teen daughter hospitalized after Lake Michigan water rescue at Illinois State Beach Park, fire officials say
Share this @internewscast.com

BEACH PARK, Ill. (WLS) — A mother was seriously injured and her teenage daughter was taken to the hospital following a water rescue at Illinois State Beach Park on Thursday.

This particular area of the beach, run by the state, is publicly accessible but isn’t supervised by lifeguards. Lake County rescuers mentioned that they are increasingly overstretched as they try to assist swimmers who are already in distress.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Once more, on Thursday afternoon, rescuers were called to the beach just south of the Wisconsin state line to help a swimmer struggling on a hot summer day.

The water distress incident happened around 4:15 p.m. along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the Beach Park Fire Protection District said.

A woman in her 30s was submerged for approximately five minutes, according to fire officials. Her 14-year-old daughter managed to stay above water but ingested a significant amount of water.

The mother and daughter were rescued from the water by “heroic bystanders” who started CPR on the woman, officials said.

The woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Her daughter was also taken to a hospital to be evaluated.

“It looked like there were people around screaming,” witness Jesus Fuentes said.

Witnesses, including Fuentes and his friends, watched from a distance as Lake County deputies and rescuers pulled the mother and daughter from the water. This is the same location where a boy of similar age drowned just two weeks prior.

Speaking at a city council meeting Tuesday night, Zion’s Fire Chief said local rescuers have collectively begged for state money.

Zion Fire Department Chief Justin Stried commented, “The IDNR has made it clear that there is no budget or current plans to offer support to individual municipalities or fire districts for emergency response boats or extra lakefront personnel during the swimming season.”

Lake Michigan experts with the Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project said the seemingly serene stretch of shoreline has grown increasingly dangerous and deadly, especially at jagged break wall formations.

“Unfortunately, the rocks that they’ve dumped in the water has actually created shoreline instability, so it has completely reconfigured the beach,” said Dave Benjamin, co-founder of the Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project.

Great Lakes Surf and Rescue Project says 23 people have drowned so far this year in Lake Michigan.

No further information about Thursday’s water rescue was immediately available.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Iran torches Gulf oil hubs after Israel hits key gas field

Iran Retaliates with Gulf Oil Hub Attacks Following Israeli Strike on Vital Gas Field

On Thursday, Iran ramped up its offensive against Gulf Arab states by…
AKC Favorite Dog Breeds: French bulldog frenzy may be cooling in US, but dachshunds are riding high

Shift in Popular Dog Breeds: Dachshunds on the Rise as French Bulldogs Wane in the US

NEW YORK — In the world of popular dog breeds, French bulldogs,…
A look at how electric vehicles come with lower maintenance costs

Discover the Cost-Saving Benefits of Maintaining Electric Vehicles

The allure of electric vehicles (EVs) goes beyond just saving on fuel…
Ex-Trump counterterror honcho Joe Kent peddles bizarre conspiracy theory that Israel had a hand in Charlie Kirk's murder

Unveiling the Controversy: Ex-Trump Official Joe Kent’s Shocking Claims on Israel’s Involvement in Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Murder

In a provocative development out of Washington, Joe Kent, the former head…
Trump orders Netanyahu to stop attacking Iran's gas, oil fields

Trump Directs Netanyahu to Halt Strikes on Iran’s Energy Infrastructure

In a recent statement, President Trump revealed that he had instructed Israeli…
Trump admin considering deploying troops to Iranian shores along Strait of Hormuz, Kharg Island: Report

Trump Administration Eyes Strategic Military Move: Potential Troop Deployment Near Iran’s Vital Strait of Hormuz

Amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, President Trump is contemplating the…
LA tells renters they’re free to skip out on paying their landlords for at least two months before facing eviction

LA Renters Gain Temporary Relief: Avoid Eviction with a Two-Month Payment Grace Period!

In a move set to reshape tenant-landlord dynamics, Los Angeles tenants will…
Bill to slash California gas prices by more than $1 killed in deadlocked vote

California Gas Price Relief Stalls: Bill to Cut Over $1 Dies in Tied Vote

An ambitious initiative designed to suspend various gas taxes and fees to…
NYPD officer assigned to Mayor Mamdani’s security suspended after off-duty shooting

NYPD Officer on Mayor Mamdani’s Security Detail Suspended Following Off-Duty Shooting Incident

An NYPD officer assigned to safeguard both Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence and…
Suspect accused of killing NYPD's Jonathan Diller 'looks like he's smiling' in bodycam video: testimony

Suspect in NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller’s Fatal Shooting Appears to Smile in Bodycam Footage, Court Hears

The individual accused of fatally shooting NYPD officer Jonathan Diller was reportedly…
Report: FBI Investigating Joe Kent Over Alleged Leak of Classified Info

FBI Launches Investigation into Joe Kent for Potential Classified Information Leak

Joe Kent, the former head of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), is…
Judge rips into teen’s ‘high-risk’ behavior before delivering decades-long sentence in violent robbery

Judge Condemns Teen’s Reckless Actions Before Issuing Lengthy Sentence for Violent Robbery

A Texas courtroom witnessed a stern rebuke as a judge addressed a…