A water rescue device is pictured in a file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

A pair of water rescues on Chicago’s lakefront over the holiday weekend resulted in one person dead and another in critical condition, according to the Chicago Police Department. 

The department’s marine unit responded to a call for help at approximately 10:30 p.m. Monday and pulled a 27-year-old man from the lake in the 5000 block of South DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition and later died.

Just hours later, the marine unit was called to Montrose Harbor at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday, where witnesses said a woman dove into the lake and didn’t resurface. Officers recovered the 46-year-old, who was taken to Illinois Masonic hospital in critical condition.

On Tuesday morning, the Chicago Fire Department reported its response to a swimmer missing off a boat approximately a mile off shore from McCormick Place. Rescue efforts are ongoing. 

The Chicago Park District officially closed beaches to swimming for the season at 7 p.m. Monday.

In East Chicago, a teenager died Monday after jumping into the lake and struggling in the water. Indiana Conservation Officers said the 14-year-old boy was part of a group that dove into the lake off a breakwall at approximately 4:30 p.m. His body was recovered near Jeorse Park and the teen was taken to St. Catherine Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, more than 30 people have drowned in Lake Michigan in 2023.

It was a deadly end to a summer that saw controversy bubble up over restrictions along the lakefront, where swimming is prohibited except during hours when lifeguards are present. Organizers of a popular Friday morning swim club, which grew to attract thousands of participants at Montrose Harbor, pulled the plug on the weekly event after running afoul of official policy.  

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]