The Chicago Fire Department has identified the off-duty firefighter who died after he was pulled underwater while swimming on Sunday morning.
Engineer/EMT Wilbert Hayes, 43, had just finished a shift and went for a swim at 31st Street Beach at approximately 7:30 a.m. when he disappeared beneath the water.
Hayes, a 14-year veteran of the department, was pulled from Lake Michigan, and was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
Authorities say he later died from his injuries. A procession took place Sunday afternoon, with firefighters, police officers and paramedics paying tribute to Hayes as his body was transported to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
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