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
Exiled teacher reveals Vladimir Putin's indoctrination of Russian school kids in startling documentary

Exiled Educator Exposes Putin’s Indoctrination Tactics in Revealing New Documentary on Russian School System

A compelling new documentary sheds light on Vladimir Putin’s extensive efforts to…
Man runs 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days for St. Jude's kids

Global Marathon Challenge: Man Conquers 7 Continents in 7 Days to Support St. Jude’s Children

Anthony Simonetti never envisioned himself as a runner. Yet, much like a…
Syrians warm up to US and Israel under new regime, poll finds

Syrian Public Opinion Shifts: New Regime Sees Increased Favorability Towards US and Israel, Poll Reveals

A recent survey indicates a warming attitude in Syria towards the United…
$525K flag that covered Abraham Lincoln's casket finds home -- in NYC steakhouse

Historic $525K Lincoln Casket Flag Finds Permanent Exhibit at NYC Steakhouse

An extraordinary piece of American history, the flag that draped the casket…
Woman riding e-scooter killed in hit-and-run crash, JSO says

Tragic E-Scooter Hit-and-Run: Woman Fatally Struck in Jacksonville

A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday night in Jacksonville, as a woman…
DEA supervisor Melitón Cordero arrested as US shutters Dominican Republic office during visa-fraud probe

DEA Supervisor Melitón Cordero Arrested Amid Dominican Republic Office Closure in Visa Fraud Investigation

A supervisor from the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s office in the Dominican…
Trump's Board of Peace to announce $5B in funding for Gaza reconstruction

Trump’s Peace Board Unveils $5 Billion Initiative for Gaza Reconstruction Efforts

In West Palm Beach, Fla., President Trump made a significant announcement on…
Trump admin warns Peru it could lose sovereignty as China tightens grip on nation

U.S. Administration Alerts Peru of Potential Sovereignty Risks Amid China’s Growing Influence

The United States has issued a stark warning to Peru, cautioning that…
Maniac who allegedly pushed woman onto NYC subway tracks, punched straphanger, also slugged teen girl during rampage

Alleged Attacker Targets Women and Teens in Disturbing NYC Subway Incidents

A man accused of a violent rampage in Brooklyn, where he allegedly…
Casey Wasserman selling his talent agency amid Jeffrey Epstein fallout

Casey Wasserman to Divest Talent Agency in Wake of Jeffrey Epstein Controversy

Entertainment mogul Casey Wasserman, who also serves as the chair for the…
Zelenskyy ally arrested trying to flee Ukraine as massive corruption probe deepens

High-Profile Zelenskyy Ally Arrested in Ukraine Amid Intensifying Corruption Crackdown

On Sunday, Ukraine’s former energy minister found himself in custody after being…
NYC’s richest ‘super speeders’ rack up $10M in speed camera fines over 12 months: report

Wealthy NYC Drivers Accumulate $10 Million in Speeding Fines from Cameras in Just One Year: Report

They’re not just burning rubber; they’re also setting fire to their finances.…