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
Carnival Cruise passenger who died onboard identified as high school cheerleader, FBI investigating

FBI Investigates Tragic Death of High School Cheerleader Aboard Carnival Cruise

The young passenger who tragically lost her life aboard the Carnival Horizon…
Harvest Megachurch Sued Over Alleged Romanian Child Abuse

Lawsuit Filed Against Harvest Megachurch for Alleged Child Abuse in Romania

Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, led by prominent pastor Greg Laurie,…
ABC7 Chicago kicks off annual Feed the Love campaign as SNAP benefits in limbo for millions | How to donate

ABC7 Chicago Launches Annual ‘Feed the Love’ Initiative Amidst Uncertainty Over SNAP Benefits; Here’s How to Contribute

The ongoing federal government shutdown has left millions of Americans without their…
Chicago man with 25 prison sentences commits new burglaries within 48 hours of release

Chicago’s Infamous Repeat Offender Strikes Again: A Shocking 48-Hour Crime Spree Following 25 Sentences

A career criminal from Chicago, whose activities span over 40 years, has…
Eddie Murphy Revisits David Spade’s Infamous Diss That Sparked ‘SNL’ Feud in ‘Being Eddie’: “F–k Y’all, That’s What Y’all Think of Me?”

Eddie Murphy Opens Up About SNL Feud with David Spade in ‘Being Eddie’: “That’s What You Think of Me?

The Netflix documentary Being Eddie sheds light on Eddie Murphy’s bygone grudge…
How Aurora Police Department officers learn to defuse volatile situations, including mental health crises

Aurora Police Department’s Innovative Training Techniques for Defusing Volatile Situations and Addressing Mental Health Crises

CHICAGO (WLS) — In traditional police training, officers are often instructed to…
Outrage over mass shooting suspect's 60K bail fueled by repeat offender's different treatment

Public Outcry Erupts: Disparity in Bail for Mass Shooting Suspect Versus Repeat Offender Sparks Debate

The individual accused of a mass shooting in Alabama has been granted…
South Loop's Game Changer: Inside 'The 78,' Chicago Fire Stadium, ABC7 Tanja Babich visits Overflow coffee at 14th and Michigan

South Loop Transformation: A Look Inside ‘The 78’ with Chicago Fire Stadium and ABC7’s Tanja Babich’s Visit to Overflow Coffee

Our Coffee Chat Series recently made its debut in Chicago’s vibrant South…
Matching family pajamas: 12 Christmas and holiday options for everyone in the family, including pets

12 Festive Family Pajama Sets: Perfect Holiday Picks for Everyone, Including Pets

As part of various affiliate marketing programs, Localish may earn commissions on…
Biographer urged Epstein to bash Trump for 'political cover' in newly released emails

Revealed Emails: Biographer’s Push for Epstein to Criticize Trump for Strategic Advantage

In a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday, the Republican members of…
Blue state judge releases murder suspect without making him pay a cent in bail, despite gang allegations

Judge in Democratic State Releases Murder Suspect on Zero Bail Amidst Gang Allegations

A judicial decision in California has stirred controversy as a judge released…
Jaguars open practice window for tight end Brenton Strange following injuries

Jaguars Initiate Practice Window for Tight End Brenton Strange After Injury Setback

The Jacksonville Jaguars might soon welcome back one of their most dependable…