Woman, Labrador Rescued From Forest Park Beach

LAKE FOREST, IL — A woman who saved her dog from the waters of Lake Michigan Wednesday had to be rescued herself from the rocks at Forest Park Beach.

Around 3:11 p.m., a bystander called 911 to report a woman and her dog were in the water at the beach, authorities said.

Firefighters and police responded to the area of the beach near the flagpole and found a 56-year-old Lake Forest woman holding on to her black Labrador on the break wall, wet but alert.

With a wind chill index below zero at the time, the woman was unable to climb back over the ice-covered rocks, according to police and fire department officials.

A Lake Forest firefighter climbed down over the rocks and tied a rope to the woman to help her up a ladder onto the concrete walkway, according to Lake Forest Fire Department Lt. Matt Rausch.

Less than 30 minutes later, the woman was taken to Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital as a precaution. Her dog was evaluated at the Animal Hospital of West Lake Forest, according to Lake Forest Police Deputy Chief Rob Copeland.

Both were released in good condition.

Boats and rescue divers from the Highland Park and Knollwood fire departments were called in but cancelled while on their way.

Fire department officials asked the public to be careful when walking near the water with pets, whether or not it's icy.

If your pet falls through the ice or goes into the water, they recommended calling 911 and keeping a point of reference as to where you pet is in the water.

_{Top photo: Lake Forest Public Safety Building | Jonah Meadows}