At least two people have drowned in separate incidents while swimming in Lake Michigan this weekend.
A 37-year-old man drowned in Lake Michigan Saturday while swimming off the shore of Lake View Beach at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Dispatch Center was alerted to a swimmer struggling in the waves of Lake Michigan around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
A visitor noticed the man struggling and said family members were in the water attempting to reach him, according to Ken Mehne of the National Park Service.
First Responders were able to rescue two family members who were caught in the water before locating Gonzola Silva floating in the surf nearly 10 feet from shore.
The man was unresponsive and transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Michigan City, Ind. where he was listed in critical condition.
Initial reports indicate Silva was under the water for approximately 20 minutes before being pulled to shore.
Silva was pronounced dead around 9:30 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Hospital, Mehne said.
Mehne is the second person to die while swimming in the high waves and rip currents in Lake Michigan Saturday.
Local
Police said red flags were on display Saturday to indicate a rip current advisory.
The Coast Guard Station in Michigan City reported wave heights of 3 to 5 feet, rip current advisories, and small watercraft advisories at the the time of the incident.
The National Weather Service issued a hazardous beach advisory Saturday afternoon that remains in effect until Monday morning.
