Boy Pulled from Lake Michigan Dies

Teen had been in "extremely critical" condition since afternoon rescue

A 14-year-old boy died Tuesday night, hours after being pulled from the waters of Lake Michigan off of North Avenue Beach.

Fire department spokesman Larry Langford said the boy, identified as Jorge Sosa, was unresponsive when a Chicago Park District lifeguard pulled him from the water just after 5 p.m. The boy was to Lurie Children’s Hospital in "extremely critical" condition.

Paramedics said they were able to get a response from Sosa as they transported him to the hospital.

It wasn’t immediately known what he was doing at the beach or how long he was under the water, officials said.

Witnesses said the boy's name was announced over the public address system prior to him being found in the water.

There were no swim restrictions on the beach, according to the Chicago Park District's website.

Sosa graduated Tarkington Elementary School on Monday. He was on the school basketball and soccer teams and coached younger students in soccer. His mom passed away three years ago and was the youngest of three being raised by his dad.

Classmates and teachers returned to school Wednesday to remember Sosa and deal with the loss.

"This is a terrible tragedy that came from a day of fun," said Tarkington school principal Vincent Iturralde.
 

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