The Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced Monday that a Gary man died after going missing in Lake Michigan at Marquette Park Beach.
Indiana Conservation officers are investigating the death of 22-year-old Jalen Robinson, according to the DNR news release.
The Gary police and fire departments helped respond, as well as the Lake County Sheriff’s Department aviation unit and dive team, the Lake County Coroner’s Office, and a regional dive team with members from the Merrillville, Crown Point, Hobart and Cedar Lake fire departments.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this tragedy,” Gary Fire Chief Larry Tillman said in a city news release. “The successful coordination of multiple public safety agencies highlights the importance of regional partnerships during water rescue emergencies. We commend all responding personnel for their professionalism, dedication, and teamwork under challenging circumstances. We also urge residents and visitors to enter the water only when lifeguards are on duty and to always be mindful of changing lake conditions.”
Preliminary information from the DNR indicated that Robinson and two friends were swimming and jumping in the lake’s waves, and they lost their footing and drifted into deeper water.
Robinson’s friends made it back to shore, but he didn’t resurface. He was later reported missing.
According to the DNR, at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Lake County 911 received a call from Marquette Park Beach reporting a missing swimmer in Lake Michigan.
At about 8:05 p.m., the sheriff’s aviation unit located Robinson, who appeared to be unresponsive. Lake County Sheriff’s Dive Unit Police Chief Vince Balbo said the department’s aviation unit helicopter “quickly spotted” Robinson about 20 feet offshore.
With the helicopter guiding them, first responders entered the water, recovered the victim and brought him to shore. Responders initiated lifesaving efforts, including CPR and advanced life support interventions.
Robinson was later taken to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary, where he died.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the young man who drowned in Lake Michigan at Marquette Park Beach on Sunday,” Balbo said in his statement.
Balbo, the fire department and DNR gave several tips for water safety. The fire department reminded people to exercise caution and pay attention to any strong currents, rip currents, wave conditions or “rapidly changing” weather that puts them in danger.
According to an email from DNR Public Information Officer Alex Neel, the agency recommends wearing life jackets when entering the water and paying attention to National Weather Service alerts. The department also recommends watching for “rapidly changing” lake conditions while on sandbars.
“A person could be standing in waist-deep water on a sandbar, and take one step and find themselves in (8 feet) of water,” Neel said in the email.
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Balbo recommended not to swim in unguarded areas, swim with other people, don’t assume an area marked off by floating buoys is safe, keep your eyes on family and friends, and be mindful of the changing wind and water conditions.
If someone disappears in the water, Balbo recommends calling 911 or alerting a lifeguard, telling police where you last saw the person or where they went missing, giving a good description of the person and their clothing, and immediately calling for help if you see someone disappear.
“Remember, when a person is in trouble in the water, seconds count,” Balbo said in his statement. “The ‘golden hour’ for a drowning victim is in the first few minutes when rescue and resuscitation give the highest chance of survival. Brain injury from lack of oxygen can begin in as little as 3 minutes.”