Chicago Police Divers Rescue Kayaker From Lake

May 6, 2013

The kayaker was rescued from the frigid waters of Lake Michigan by police Marine Unit divers.

A kayaker who had fallen off his craft was rescued from the frigid waters of Lake Michigan Sunday afternoon by police Marine Unit divers on the Near South Side.

A fisherman spotted the man clinging to his kayak about 3:20 p.m. near the 12th Street Beach, according to a police Marine Unit officer.

A Marine Unit boat was sent to him and four divers pulled him out after he'd been in the chilled waters for about 20 minutes and began showing signs of hypothermia such as memory loss and uncontrollable shaking, the officer said.

The officer said the victim was helped into the boat and taken to a nearby pier, where he could be taken care of by Chicago Fire Department crews.

Paramedics responded to the 300 block of North Breakwater Access and assisted the man, who declined to be taken to a hospital, according to Juan Hernandez, a spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service