17-Year-Old Dead After Going Underwater In Lake Michigan In Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — A 17-year-old boy was pulled out of the water in Evanston and was declared dead late Wednesday night, according to fire department officials.

The Evanston Fire Department responded to Lighthouse Beach at 8:51 p.m. after receiving reports of a boy who had gone underwater and didn't resurface while swimming with friends along the north side of the beach's break wall.

Search and rescue teams initiated a full rescue response with the help of a drone, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and additional agencies.

"Initial shoreline searches focused on the north side of the break wall; however, due to poor water conditions and with the experience of Evanston’s trained water rescue teams, operations quickly shifted to the south side," the fire department said in a statement.

Crews located the boy at approximately 9:27 p.m. about 30 yards off the break wall. Officials provided advanced life support care before the boy was taken to a local hospital in an ambulance. The Cook County medical Examiner later confirmed the teen had died.

The 17-year-old was only identified as a Skokie resident.

Beaches in Evanston were closed Wednesday due to dangerous swimming conditions and high waves of up to 5 feet. The National Weather Service issues a beach hazards statement in Cook County until Thursday afternoon.

"Remain out of the water to avoid dangerous swimming conditions and do not venture out onto piers, jetties, breakwalls, or other shoreline structures," the weather service said. "Swimming conditions will be life threatening, especially for inexperienced swimmers."