'Extremely Dangerous' Conditions Block Search For Teen's Body

WAUKEGAN, IL — Extremely dangerous icy conditions are hampering recovery operations for the body of a 16-year-old boy who jumped into Lake Michigan Friday afternoon in an attempt to save a friend. Rescuers were first dispatched around 4:30 p.m. to the lakefront for a report that a person had slipped off the main pier at Waukegan Municipal Beach, according to the Waukegan Fire Department.

Three teens had been walking together along the pier at the time near the Stiner Music Pavilion. One jumped in to try to save the boy who had fallen, and the other called 911 as both struggled in the water. Waukegan police were able to pull the first boy out, and arriving paramedics began medical treatment and took the teen to Vista East Medical Center. No medical information was immediately available.

Neighboring departments were called in for assistance and additional divers, and dive rescue teams searched the area for about 90 minutes Friday night before they were forced to stop by hazardous conditions with very limited visibility and strong waves, according to a statement from the Fire Department.

"The divers were still unable to locate the missing subject and the operations were switched to involve side scan sonar technicians searching via a boat operation," it said. Personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard and Illinois State Police Air Operations have also been called to help with the search.

On Saturday, an assessment of the weather determined water rescue operations would be unsafe, with gale-force wind creating extremely dangerous icy conditions. Heavy waves also prevented recovery operations on the lake on Sunday, as the frozen harbor entrance blocked boats.

Fire Marshall Steve Lenzi said both people who fell into the lake were 16-year-old boys but declined to specify their hometowns, according to the Lake County News-Sun. He said rescuers were able to launch a sonar-equipped boat from the beach briefly on Monday, but wind pushed ice back into the beach area. He said the department will re-assess the situation Tuesday, amid another winter storm advisory.

"We also want closure for the family, but we have to do what is safe," Lenzi said. "The weather is really hampering us to do the search safely."

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