14-Year-Old Boy Drowns At Atwater Park; No Lifeguards

SHOREWOOD, WI — A 14-year-old boy has drowned in Lake Michigan at Shorewood's Atwater Park on Tuesday night - a park that has no lifeguard staffing for the first time in five years.

According to authorities, the boy jumped into the lake off a high breaker wall just north of the park's public beach area.

When the boy did not resurface, the group of friends he was with called 911.

The Milwaukee Fire Department's dive team was dispatched and located the boy approximately 40 minutes later, North Shore Fire/Rescue Lt. Dan Tyk said in a Journal Sentinel report.

Emergency workers attempted to resuscitate the boy, but were unsuccessful, Tyk said.

Shorewood officials urge the public to understand that lake waters - especially undercurrents - can be dangerous even for the most experienced swimmer.

No Lifeguards

In 2012, Shorewood began providing several lifeguards at Atwater Beach during the third weekend of June to the third weekend of August every day from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. These lifeguards had been staffed by Milwaukee County Parks who provided specific waterfront and beach training and certification.

This year, Milwaukee County Parks received fewer applications for lifeguard positions and will staff the county’s two water parks, eleven public swimming pools and Bradford Beach, but are unable to provide lifeguard resources to other communities like Shorewood.

The Village of Shorewood did evaluate other options but determined that the most feasible solution this year was to return to its previous ‘swim at your own risk’ policy that is used by most Wisconsin beaches.

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image via shutterstock