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
Scott's Law Illinois: Chicago Fire Department honors fallen Lt. Scott Gillen, killed in Dan Ryan Expressway crash

Chicago Fire Department Pays Tribute to Lt. Scott Gillen: Honoring His Legacy Under Scott’s Law in Illinois

In Chicago, a somber anniversary was observed on Tuesday as the city…
Major university cuts ties with US-sanctioned UN expert on Palestinian issues, watchdog says

Top University Severs Ties with Controversial UN Expert Amid U.S. Sanctions: What It Means for Palestinian Advocacy

Georgetown University has severed its association with a United Nations official currently…
Horror video captures repeat offender allegedly attacking 75-year-old woman, gouging her eye with spiked stick

Disturbing Video Surfaces Allegedly Showing Repeat Offender Assaulting 75-Year-Old Woman with Spiked Stick

A recently unveiled video has documented the chilling moment when a man,…
U.S. Amb. to NATO: Putin Has Never Said There Are Too Many Lives Lost in War

Unveiling Putin’s Silence: U.S. Ambassador to NATO Critiques Russia’s War Stance

During a segment on Fox News Channel’s “The Story” aired on Tuesday,…
Morgan Geyser now: Wisconsin judge sends suspect in Slender Man stabbing of Payton Leutner back to mental health institution

Breaking Update: Morgan Geyser’s Return to Mental Health Facility in Slender Man Case Shocks Wisconsin

In Madison, Wisconsin, a woman previously involved in a near-fatal attack on…
Delaware state trooper killed in DMV shooting incident, gunman also dead with no active threat: officials

Tragic Shooting at Delaware DMV: State Trooper and Gunman Confirmed Dead, No Ongoing Threat

A tragic event unfolded at a Division of Motor Vehicles building in…
4 indicted in foiled New Year's Eve terror bombing plot targeting Southern California businesses

Southern California Bombing Plot Thwarted: Four Indicted in New Year’s Eve Terror Scheme

In a significant development, four people have been federally charged in a…
Israeli hostages freed, Iran hit, ceasefire held — 2025 shattered idea that US was exiting the Middle East

Israeli Hostages Released, Iran Targeted, Ceasefire Maintained: 2025 Underscores Continued U.S. Engagement in the Middle East

In recent years, Washington has often declared its intention to scale back…
FBI violent crime arrests double in Trump's first year compared to Biden record: 'Massive strides'

FBI Violent Crime Arrests Surge Under Trump, Outpacing Biden’s First Year

On Tuesday, the FBI disclosed a significant surge in violent crime arrests…
Trump blasts Rob Reiner after famed director's killing, claims without evidence his death was political

Trump’s Controversial Claims: Unfounded Political Motives in Rob Reiner’s Tragic Passing Stir Debate

Rob Reiner, a well-known Hollywood figure and outspoken critic of former President…
PA man charged with attempting to make weapons of mass destruction after neighbor tip

Pennsylvania Resident Arrested After Neighbor’s Tip Leads to Foiled Weapons of Mass Destruction Plot

Authorities have apprehended a man in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, as part of a…
YouTuber Adam ‘the Woo’ Williams found dead in Florida home

Tragic Loss: Popular YouTuber Adam ‘the Woo’ Williams Discovered Dead in Florida Residence

YouTube sensation Adam “the Woo” Williams has tragically passed away at his…