A woman was killed and six other people were injured Friday morning after a boat near the "playpen" area of Lake Michigan capsized overnight, the Chicago Police Department said.
According to authorities, the Chicago Fire Department around 3 a.m. received a call of a boat in distress at 800 N. Lake Shore Drive. Officials later added that seven adults, all between the ages of 20 and 40 years old, were on the boat when it "potentially" struck a breakwall and capsized as it was returning to shore.
Four females, aged 21, 22, 27 and 31, two males, aged 38 and 40, were rescued from the water and transported to nearby hospitals, officials said. According to Chicago police, all of the individuals were last listed in good condition.
A recovery mission by the Chicago Police Department Marine Unit was performed for the seventh person, a female, approximately 20 years old.
During a Friday press conference, Commanding Officer of the Chicago Police Marine and Helicopter Units Jose Mendez said a body had been found "near the vicinity of the location of the accident."
Officials later confirmed the body recovered was that of the seventh person.
During the update, authorities said a "huge increase in wind and wave activity" early Friday morning complicated rescue and recovery efforts.
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"We went from a one knot to a three knot wind, with gusts over 30 miles an hour," said Deputy District Chief in charge of Marina Dive Operations for the Chicago Fire Department Jason Lach. "We went from wave heights of six inches to a foot, and up to three to four inches off the National Weather buoy a the same time this was going on."
Photos and video from the early morning scene showed a large presence from the emergency personnel as crews worked to search for the missing individual under heavy rain storms, lighting and thunder.
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At one point, recovery efforts were paused due to weather, officials said.
According to Lach, crews also recovered another body, a male, from the water, believed to be part of a separate incident, "because of the of the time of travel and where it was, and the decomposition of the body."
During the update, Lach said its not unusual during Chicago's warmer months, to have "two or three water responses," as people go out on Lake Michigan at all times of day. However, Lach stressed that those boating on Lake Michigan must be aware of "navigational hazards."
"If you're operating any kind of a vessel out here in Lake Michigan, know your capabilities," Lach said. "Make sure you have life preservers onboard for everybody."
According to officials, the incident is under investigation.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
