Evanston Fire Department officials issued a warning Monday asking people to be careful in Lake Michigan after three people were rescued in two separate responses over the weekend.
On Saturday evening, Evanston firefighters rescued a 37-year-old man who was two miles off Dempster Street Beach after high waves started filling his kayak with water, according to a news release. The Chicago resident was kayaking while watching the Chicago Air Show when waves filled his kayak with water.
The man left his kayak and entered the water around 1 p.m. and fire department personnel received a call around 7:30 p.m. and immediately upgraded search and rescue efforts, according to the release. Responders included members of the Evanston Fire Department, Evanston lifeguards, U.S. Coast Guard and Chicago Fire Department divers.
Evanston fire department personnel rescued the man, who had no injuries, just before dusk, according to the release.
In a separate response, the department rescued two Northwestern University students early Sunday after they were caught in strong currents near Clark Street, the release said.
Two male students were playing with a football shortly before 7 a.m. Sunday when the ball went into the water. One student entered the water to retrieve the ball and was pulled out by currents. The second student entered the water to save his friend and was also pulled away from the shore, according to the release.
Evanston Fire Department was dispatched and immediately deployed rescue swimmers and Jet Skis to rescue the two students. They were pulled safely to shore, evaluated for injuries and released on scene, according to the release.
“Lakefront conditions proved dangerous this weekend,” the release said. “Stay safe and avoid lakefront activities until conditions improve.”
Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter.