Crews to work to recover fishing boat capsized in Lake Michigan near East Chicago, IN; Thomas Barragan of Oak Forest, IL dead
Share and Follow

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (WLS) — A man is recovering on Saturday morning after a boat capsized in Lake Michigan, killing another man on board.

It happened on Friday afternoon off the coastline near East Chicago, Indiana. Two men were fishing on the vessel when it capsized and went into the water, the Lake County Sheriff’s office said.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Crews are expected to back out on the lake on Saturday morning, working to bring back that boat.

The man who died was later identified as 73-year-old Thomas Barragan of Oak Forest.

Officials say Barragan went missing after the boat capsized. Divers later recovered his body, and he was pronounced dead on the scene.

The other man in the boat at the time is also from Oak Forest, officials said. A good Samaritan rescued him in a different nearby fishing boat.

He was taken to a local hospital in unknown condition, officials said. ABC7 was told he has hypothermia, but is expected to survive.

Officials said there were 5-foot to 6-foot waves on Friday in Lake Michigan at the time, with the water temperature at 37 degrees when the 19-foot fishing vessel flipped near the East Chicago steel mill.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is investigating.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
NYC firefighter dies after battling all-hands blaze on Brooklyn rooftop

Tragic Loss: NYC Firefighter Sacrifices Life in Heroic Brooklyn Rooftop Blaze Battle

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) is mourning…
Rare Saturday Senate session ends with few signs of shutdown progress

Uncommon Saturday Senate Meeting Concludes Amid Limited Progress on Shutdown Resolution

In a rare Saturday session at the Capitol, senators adjourned without achieving…
Fedora man unmasked: Meet Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux, the teen behind the Louvre 'detective' mystery photo

Unveiled: The Teen Behind the Viral Louvre ‘Detective’ Photo – Meet Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux!

PARIS — When Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux, a 15-year-old from Rambouillet, discovered…
Joe Biden goes scorched earth on Trump over White House demolition

Joe Biden Unleashes Fiery Critique on Trump’s White House Legacy: A Deep Dive into Controversy

At a recent event, former President Joe Biden launched a scathing critique…
The wind shield of a Chicago police vehicle is smashed as people protesting the actions of federal immigration agents in Little Village clash with Chicago police officers Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Authorities Investigate Reported Gunfire Directed at Federal Agents During Immigration Operations

On Saturday, Chicago police officers were dispatched to investigate reports of gunfire…
North Carolina police officer killed in line of duty during emergency room shooting incident

North Carolina Police Officer Fatally Shot in Line of Duty During Emergency Room Incident

A North Carolina police officer was fatally shot on Saturday morning within…
Data reveals almost 200 bodies have been pulled from Houston bayous

Shocking Discovery: Nearly 200 Bodies Recovered from Houston Bayous – Uncover the Hidden Truths

Chilling statistics have surfaced, revealing that nearly 200 bodies have been recovered…
Hunter shares what kept him alive while in California mountains

Hunter Reveals Survival Strategies in California Mountains Experience

In the mountainous terrain of Fresno County, California, a hunter named Ron…