Evanston police, firefighters search for missing swimmer at Lighthouse Beach – NBC Chicago

Evanston firefighters suspended the search for a missing swimmer on Lake Michigan Sunday night, citing difficult conditions.

The swimmer, a 41-year-old man, was last seen around 4 p.m. near Lighthouse Beach. He was recovered underwater, along with an adult woman and two teenage girls, authorities said.

The girls and woman were rescued by a passerby, said Capt. Jeff Boetto of the Evanston Fire Department.

As crews were removed from the water Sunday evening, firefighters were still attempting to delay the swimmer using side-scan sonar technology. Recovery efforts were expected to resume Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Boetto detailed the dangerous conditions, explaining that there was no visibility on the water.

“So the water conditions when we arrived, we had 4-5 foot waves, winds were blowing 14.5 knots out of the northwest, so it was very challenging conditions since we got here…” Boetto said.

Evanston police, in a message on X, reported that around 4:30 p.m., emergency personnel were on the beach along Lake Michigan searching for a swimmer.

The beach was closed and people were advised to avoid the area.

A Chicago Fire Department helicopter and drone from the Evanston Fire Department were deployed to assist in the search efforts, authorities said. Residents and visitors were also advised to avoid the Church Street boat launch as additional search and rescue teams were stationed at that site, police said.