Man Dies Rescuing Girl from Lake Michigan

Chicago Police are warning people to stay out of the water and take extra caution if visiting the shores of Lake Michigan on Friday. The warning comes after strong winds, and high waves caused a family outing to go wrong.


Emergency crews were called to 31st Street Beach just before 2 PM Thursday. Witnesses say they saw an 11-year-old girl struggling in the water. One man, 35-year-old Rene Padilla, jumped in along with lifeguards after her. The lifeguards were able to pull the girl from the lake, but those on the beach say the waves quickly overwhelmed Padilla.


When rescuers were finally able to reach him, he was rushed to Mercy Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The girl has been treated and is expected to be okay.

 

The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazard warning for Friday. It says we can expect waves reaching up to six feet. The warning will continue along Lake Michigan beaches from Waukegan to Michigan City, Indiana until 7 PM.


08/23/19 11:24AM