Search for missing swimmer at Lighthouse Beach suspended

After launching a search and rescue operation for a missing swimmer at Lighthouse Beach on Sunday afternoon, Evanston police and fire officials announced Sunday evening that they were suspending the search for the night.

In a brief news conference at 7:20 p.m. Sunday, EFD Capt. Jeffrey Boetto said they left a sonar scanner in the water but had to call off the search until Monday morning due to dangerous water conditions and “zero visibility.”

According to Boetto, the fire department responded around 4 p.m. to a call regarding three swimmers struggling in the water. Someone on scene was able to help two teenagers and an adult woman out of the water at this time. Now the search for the missing 41-year-old is underway.

Multiple fire trucks were at the scene on Sunday afternoon, as well as two boats searching the water. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, a Chicago Fire Department helicopter and an EFD drone also participated in the operation. according to account X EPD.

Lighthouse Beach is closed to the public, as is the Church Street boat ramp, where EPD and EFD are conducting additional rescues.

Lake Michigan was unusually rough on Sunday, with high winds creating waves up to 4 feet high, which prompted EFD to display a red no-swimming flag at the Lighthouse Beach lifeguard station.

Sunday morning, lakeside overseers announced that Lighthouse Beach will be closed due to dangerous waters. “No lifeguard will be on duty,” they wrote online. “Please do not enter the water.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.