Chicago water rescue: Woman rescued, man missing in Lake Michigan at 77th Street near Rainbow Beach, CFD says
Share and Follow

CHICAGO (WLS) — A woman was rescued from the water and a man went missing Thursday in Lake Michigan on the South Side, Chicago fire officials said.

The incident happened near Rainbow Beach in South Shore.

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

For much of the afternoon., teams with the Chicago Fire Department and CPD were searching for a man believed to be missing in the water, and as of 4 p.m., official confirmed it has gone from a rescue operation to a recovery mission.

Chopper 7 was over the scene, where multiple boats and divers were seen conducting a search near the break wall at 77th Street and the lakefront.

Chicago officials said a 33-year-old man and 30-year-old woman who had been meditating went for a swim in the water.

“She had stated that while she was swimming across, they didn’t realize the current was as strong as it was in this area because of the winds coming out of the south right now,” CFD Marine Dive Ops. Dep. District Chief Jason Lach said.

The woman managed to make it to the east break wall and clung to the rocks for a half hour or so, yelling for help, CFD said. Eventually, a passerby heard her call a little after 1 p.m. and called 911.

The woman was taken to University of Chicago hospital in good condition, CFD officials said.

As of Thursday evening, it had been hours since the man was last seen.

Officials are reminding people that with temperatures expected in the 80s this weekend, beaches are closed for the season and there is no swimming allowed in Lake Michigan.

The particular location near South Shore is somewhat secluded. It’s several hundred yards from the main part of Rainbow Beach, which is close so there’s not a lot of people out there.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Cat caught on camera starting dangerous kitchen fire after jumping on stove and turning on burner

Surveillance Footage Captures Cat Accidentally Igniting Kitchen Fire by Activating Stove Burner

A feline in Dallas County, Texas, inadvertently sparked a kitchen fire earlier…
FBI captures Top Ten Most Wanted fugitive in Mexico sought over 2016 murder of NC co-worker

FBI Nabs Elusive Fugitive in Mexico: Breakthrough in 2016 NC Murder Case

The FBI revealed on Saturday that Alejandro Rosales Castillo, who had been…
Man arrested after pocketing donations for world's most inbred family

Police Detain Man for Allegedly Misusing Donations Intended for Notoriously Inbred Family

A West Virginia-based YouTuber is facing accusations of exploiting a group known…
Carl McCain wins Mega Millions drawing, but money was kept for debt he didn't owe after someone used his social security number

Identity Theft Nightmare: Carl McCain’s Mega Millions Win Seized for False Debt

TIMBERLAKE, N.C. — A North Carolina resident found himself in a surprising…
China's secret plan to infiltrate America with sleeper citizens

Unveiling China’s Covert Strategy: The Rise of Sleeper Citizens in America

In the serene suburbs of California, a new and unsettling form of…
Johnny Knoxville announces new movie, clarifies he 'can't get hit in the head anymore'

Johnny Knoxville Reveals Exciting New Film Project, Shares Why He’s Steering Clear of Head Injuries

LOS ANGELES — As excitement mounts for the upcoming release of the…
Megyn Kelly slams Timothy Busfield's wife for promoting brand

Megyn Kelly Criticizes Timothy Busfield’s Wife Over Controversial Brand Promotion: A Social Media Showdown

Megyn Kelly criticized Timothy Busfield’s wife for continuing to promote her lifestyle…
NFL playoffs: Resurgent Chicago Bears collide with Los Angeles Rams in divisional round matchup featuring high-powered offenses

NFL Playoffs: Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams Set for High-Stakes Divisional Clash with Dynamic Offenses

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Ben Johnson has devoted extensive time to analyzing…