UPDATE: Search called off for swimmer missing since Saturday afternoon
(UPDATE 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24): The City of Highland Park has ceased recovery operations in the search for a person who went missing while swimming off the Fort Sheridan shoreline this weekend.
The city cited the strength and speed of the currents on Lake Michigan for why the search was now over, an update provided in a 3:28 p.m. community advisory email said.
Rescue divers deployed sonar technology and an underwater rover, and the city deployed a police drone, but personnel were ultimately unable to recover the missing swimmer who remains unidentified, the advisory said. A police investigation is apparently underway.
According to the City of Highland Park, first responders answered a call around noon on Aug. 23 reporting a distressed swimmer off the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, 24256 Patten Road, Highwood.
Several other agencies reportedly are assisting in the rescue operation, which was postponed at 6 p.m. on Saturday and later resumed at 8 a.m. on Sunday, according to the city.
Boat access to the waterfront along the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve shoreline resumed at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
“The city greatly appreciates the assistance of dive teams and EMS support from neighboring communities throughout the region in responding to this call,” the Sunday advisory said.
(UPDATE 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24): Rescue teams resumed their Lake Michigan search on Sunday for a swimmer who went missing Saturday afternoon near Fort Sheridan.
According to the City of Highland Park, first responders answered a call around noon on Aug. 23 reporting a distressed swimmer off the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, 24256 Patten Road, Highwood.
The city fire department began water-rescue efforts while the police department flew a drone to assist in the search.
The City says a bystander attempted to assist the swimmer but was unsuccessful.
Several other agencies reportedly are assisting in the rescue operation, which was postponed at 6 p.m. on Saturday, according to the city.
No further details on the missing swimmer were provided by press time.
A rescue diver also was reported missing for a short time but was found uninjured, according to the city.
Stay tuned to The Record as this story develops.
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Joe Coughlin
Joe Coughlin is a co-founder and the editor in chief of The Record. He leads investigative reporting and reports on anything else needed. Joe has been recognized for his investigative reporting and sports reporting, feature writing and photojournalism. Follow Joe on Twitter @joec2319
Samuel Lisec
Samuel Lisec is a Chicago native and Knox College alumnus with years of experience reporting on community and criminal justice issues in Illinois. Passionate about in-depth local journalism that serves its readers, he has been recognized for his investigative work by the state press association.
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