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
Members of international organized residential burglary ring arrested after posing as Amazon drivers, Irvine, CA break-in | Video

Joliet Detective Peter Ranstead Convicted of Domestic Violence After Woodiris Drive Incident

A Joliet police detective has been convicted by a judge on charges…
Sheaves Slate, charged in death of Michael Altman, Chicago firefighter killed in Rogers Park fire, is due in court Saturday

Justice Unfolds: Sheaves Slate Faces Court Over Tragic Death of Chicago Firefighter Michael Altman

In a tragic turn of events, the man accused of igniting a…
Putin says Russia 'loyal friend, reliable partner' of Iran's Islamic Republic

Putin Declares Russia as Iran’s Trusted Ally and Dependable Partner

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently cemented his allegiance to Iran, extending support…
Denmark secretly prepared to blow up Greenland's runways to stop US aircraft: report

Denmark’s Covert Plans to Sabotage Greenland’s Runways Against US Aircraft Revealed

Denmark reportedly took steps to potentially sabotage Greenland’s airstrips with explosives and…
University of Alabama student James Gracey disappears in Barcelona after visiting friends studying abroad

Unraveling True Crime Mysteries: The Latest on Jimmy Gracey’s Disappearance, Kouri Richins’ Trial Verdict, and Luigi Mangione’s Defense Strategy

In an undated photograph, Jimmy Gracey is seen proudly donning a Crimson…
Trump rates Macron 'an 8' as France and US split over Middle East strategy

Trump’s Surprising Rating: Macron Scores an ‘8’ Amid US-France Middle East Strategy Clash

French President Emmanuel Macron has made a firm appeal for an immediate…
see how much California is spending to erase sites

Unveiling California’s Massive Budget for Site Cleanup: Discover the Costs & Impacts

California taxpayers are facing a significant expense as the state undertakes the…
Russian hackers targeting US officials and journalists on Signal – have accessed ‘thousands’ of accounts, FBI warns

FBI Alert: Russian Hackers Breach Thousands of Signal Accounts of US Officials and Journalists

US officials and other individuals deemed to have “high intelligence value” are…
Nancy Guthrie update: Investigators are looking into reports of suspicious activity in her neighborhood

Authorities Investigate Unusual Activity in Nancy Guthrie’s Neighborhood

Authorities from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department are investigating reports of unusual…
Iran targets US-UK Diego Garcia military base — 2K miles away — with ballistic missiles: report

Iran Launches Ballistic Missiles Towards US-UK Diego Garcia Base: Report

Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles targeting Diego Garcia, a strategic US-UK…
American tourist detained after being in public during Bali shutdown

American Tourist Apprehended for Public Presence Amid Bali Lockdown

As Bali prepared to embrace its annual Day of Silence, a tradition…
How law enforcement's discovery of rare drug in Suzanne Morphew's body led to her husband's eventual arrest

Last-Minute Intervention: Prosecutors Halt Suzanne Morphew’s Cremation, Claim Barry Morphew’s Involvement, Documents Reveal

Barry Morphew, who faces charges in the murder of his wife Suzanne,…