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
Mayor Donna Deegan 'hologram' removed from Jacksonville International Airport

Jacksonville International Airport Removes Controversial Mayor Donna Deegan Hologram: What’s Next?

The controversial “Holo-Donna” installation at Jacksonville International Airport, a holographic projection of…
NASA delays Artemis moon mission after finding fuel leaks in test run

NASA Postpones Artemis Moon Mission Due to Fuel Leak Detected in Crucial Test

NASA has decided to delay the launch of its Artemis II mission…
Kate McKinnon and Daveed Diggs want to bring "hope" for humanity with new movie 'In the Blink of an Eye'

Kate McKinnon & Daveed Diggs Inspire Humanity: Discover ‘In the Blink of an Eye’ – A Cinematic Beacon of Hope

Kate McKinnon, Rashida Jones, and Daveed Diggs headline the cast of Searchlight…
Illegal immigrant accused in DUI crash that killed college soccer player, girlfriend: report

Grieving Mother Criticizes Grammy Speeches Following Tragic DUI Crash by Undocumented Driver

A heartbroken mother from North Carolina is voicing her frustration towards Hollywood…
'TODAY' host Savannah Guthrie gives statement on missing 84-year-old mother as sheriff says her house is a 'crime scene'

Savannah Guthrie Speaks Out as Sheriff’s Investigation Labels Missing Mother’s Home a ‘Crime Scene

Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old Arizona resident, was last seen on Saturday night…
ICE arrests New Orleans police recruit with deportation order who was issued firearm by department

ICE Detains New Orleans Police Recruit with Existing Deportation Order After Department Issues Firearm

In a surprising turn of events, a recruit of the New Orleans…
Large CPD presence on Near West Side after deadly Chicago shootings in UIC garage on Wood, in White Castle lot on Roosevelt: CFD

Heavy CPD Response on Near West Side Following Fatal Shootings in UIC Garage and White Castle Parking Lot

CHICAGO (WLS) — A significant police presence was observed Tuesday afternoon on…
Costa Rica swings right as voters embrace tough-on-crime leader amid surging violence

Costa Rica Elects Crime-Focused Leader in Response to Rising Violence

In a significant shift for Costa Rica, voters have chosen conservative populist…
12-year-old allegedly alive underwater for minutes before fatal scuba class failure: lawsuit

Lawsuit Claims 12-Year-Old Survived Underwater for Minutes Before Tragic Scuba Class Incident

The heartbroken parents of a young girl from Texas, who tragically lost…
Jill Biden's ex-husband charged with murder in death of wife

Jill Biden’s Former Spouse Faces Murder Charges in Wife’s Tragic Death

William Stevenson, known as the ex-husband of former First Lady Jill Biden,…
Authorities 'aware' of reports of possible ransom note in Nancy Guthrie disappearance

Authorities Investigate Reports of Potential Ransom Note in Nancy Guthrie Case

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Tucson, Arizona, has acknowledged being “aware”…
Appeals court overturns conviction of UCLA gynecologist over issue at trial

Shocking Turnaround: Appeals Court Reverses Conviction of UCLA Gynecologist Due to Trial Missteps

An appeals court in California has overturned the sexual abuse conviction of…