Search for missing swimmer at Lighthouse Beach in Evanston ends until Monday

EVANSTON, Ill. (CBS) — The search for a missing swimmer at Lighthouse Beach in Evanston Sunday afternoon ended for the night, according to police.

Emergency crews from multiple agencies responded to the beach, where four swimmers were caught in the surf. The water became too rough for first responders, forcing them to call off their search, which authorities said is now a recovery mission.

From the top to the depths of Lake Michigan's choppy surf, emergency personnel moved quickly and diligently Sunday afternoon, responding to four swimmers reported missing in the water just before 4 p.m.

“We had 4 to 5 foot waves, 14.5 knot winds out of the northwest, so conditions were very difficult by the time we got there,” said Chief Jeff Boetto of the Arkansas Fire Department. Evanston.

A good Samaritan intervened and managed to pull three swimmers out of the water before first responders arrived.

They included two teenage girls and a woman who was assisted by Evanston firefighters before falling to her knees.

As of Sunday evening, a 41-year-old man was still missing. The search continued for hours before authorities called off the recovery mission shortly before 8 p.m. due to difficult conditions.

“The conditions in the water with the waves mean there is no visibility for us,” Boetto said.

It is unclear why the swimmers were in the water, as red flags were flying on the beach throughout the day.

Although they are believed to be related, the swimmers' relationships were not immediately known.

The search for the missing man will continue Monday morning.