Emergency units search for person ‘pulled under the water’ in Winnetka

Local rescue units are searching Lake Michigan for an individual after a 911 call in the early hours of Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Village Communications Manager Josie Clark said that the caller reported at 2:12 a.m. that someone was “pulled under the water” near Elder Lane Beach, 239 Sheridan Road in Winnetka. The missing individual reportedly was with two others at the beach.

Fire Chief John Ripka told media Tuesday morning that emergency units search was primarily limited to the shoreline due to dangerous conditions, including high winds and waves all morning.

“We were unable to launch a boat due to the wave conditions — about 8 feet at the time,” he said. “They have since gone up, probably 8-10. So we did a shore search, called the Coast Guard. … They are now conducting a search with the Coast Guard boat and helicopter with negative results so far.”

Elder Lane Beach has been closed all season because of dangerous conditions on the beachfront.

The National Weather Service reported “life-threatening currents” overnight near the shoreline of Lake Michigan up and down the North Shore.

About a month ago, on July 5, a Winnetka man drowned while boating in Lake Michigan near Elder Lane Beach. Luke Laidley, 43, reportedly jumped from his boat in an attempt to help children struggling to swim.

Stay tuned to The Record North Shore as this story develops.

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