Evanston Fire Department water rescue personnel saved three individuals during two separate lakefront incidents last weekend.
Late Saturday afternoon, Aug. 21, EFD personnel rescued a 37-year-old male two miles offshore from Dempster Street Beach. The Chicago resident was kayaking while watching the Chicago Air Show when high waves filled his kayak with water. The resident decided to leave his kayak and entered the water around 1 p.m. EFD personnel rescued the swimmer just before dusk with no reported injuries.
Evanston Fire Department personnel received the call around 7:30 p.m., immediately upgrading search and rescue efforts to include Evanston Fire Department Personal Water personnel, Evanston Lifeguards, the U.S. Coast Guard and Chicago Fire Department Divers.
A separate incident occurred early Sunday morning at Clark Street Beach involving two Northwestern students. At 6:58 a.m. two adult males threw a football on the beach when the ball went into the water. One student entered the water to retrieve the ball when the current pulled him out. The second student entered the water to save his friend and was also pulled away from the shore.
EFD was dispatched and immediately deployed rescue swimmers and EFD jet skis to conduct rescue efforts. The two men were pulled safely to shore, evaluated for injuries and released on scene.
Lakefront conditions proved dangerous this weekend. Stay safe and avoid lakefront activities until conditions improve.