Crime & Safety
Kayaker Rescued Off Lake Michigan
The 43-year-old Arlington Heights man said his kayak sunk off the shore at Gillson Park.
Written by Tim Moran
WILMETTE, IL - A kayaker was rescued Tuesday afternoon off the shore of Gillson Park in Wilmette.
Police, firefighters and dive teams from Wilmette, Winnetka, Evanston, Chicago, Northbrook, Northfield and Glenview responded to 911 calls of a kayaker in danger about 135 yards off the shore of Gillson Park near a rock pier just before 4 p.m., according to the Wilmette Life.
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Less than 10 minutes after the first 911 call was placed, a member of the Winnetka Fire Department’s dive team was able to grasp the kayaker - a 43-year-old Arlington Heights man - and was able to bring him to shore a few minutes later.
"It probably felt like an eternity to him," Wilmette Fire Chief Mike McGreal said. "He was yelling and screaming."
Find out what's happening in Arlington Heightsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The man was taken to Evanston Hospital. He claims his kayak sunk.
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