Rescuers Search For Swimmer Who Did Not Resurface Off Winnetka Beach

WINNETKA, IL — Rescuers are searching for a swimmer who went missing in Tuesday morning in Lake Michigan near Elder Lane Beach in Winnetka, authorities said.

Three people were at the beach around 2:15 a.m. when one of them "was pulled under the water and did not resurface," according to village officials.

Local fire crews showed up and began searching the shore. Dangerous weather conditions initially prevented them from getting a boat in the water and delayed the U.S. Coast Guard from launching its helicopter, fire officials said.

"We have to have the divers off the boat and they're not able to launch the boat, so we don't have divers in the water," Winnetka Fire Chief John Ripka told reporters. "The waves are still six to eight feet, we tried to launch helicopters as well, from the Coast Guard, but the wind conditions didn't allow the helicopters to launch either."

High wind and wave conditions have affected search and rescue efforts, according to a statement from village staff.

The National Weather Service issued a warning through Tuesday evening for beaches in Illinois and Indiana, citing threats of life-threatening currents, hazardous boating conditions and waves of up to nine feet.

"When you see the beach alerts, where you see the wave conditions that are in excess of a couple feet, obviously that's not the time to go in the water," Ripka said. "Stay on the shore, stay safe, enjoy the waves crashing on the shore but don't go in the water."

According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, about two dozen people have died in Lake Michigan so far this year.

Last month, 43-year-old Winnetka resident Luke Laidley drowned after jumping into the lake near Elder Lane Beach, reportedly to help a child.

And last week, a paddleboarder discovered a body in Lake Michigan near Gillson Park in Wilmette, which authorities said did not appear to have been in the water very long.