Body of man, 20, recovered from lake in Evanston, 3 others rescued

The body of a 20-year-old man was recovered from Lake Michigan Saturday night in Evanston after a seven-hour search for the missing swimmer, officials said.

Three other people were rescued from the water earlier in the day by fire crews responding about 1 p.m. to Clark Beach for a report of three people seen struggling in the water, according to town spokesman Patrick Deignan.

A mother, her daughter and a good Samaritan who went into the water to help them were pulled from the water, Deignan said.

The mother was hospitalized in critical condition, Deignan said. Her daughter and the good Samaritan were listed in good condition.

Crews were clearing the beach about an hour later when they found unattended shoes and clothing, leading to a search for a fourth swimmer, Deignan said.

Dive teams were called in from neighboring towns for a search and rescued mission, but by the evening, their efforts became a recovery mission, Deignan said.

The man’s body was found about 9 p.m., he said.

Security footage from a camera near the beach showed the man enter the lake, go underwater and not resurface before the three others went in.

Evanston beaches were closed for swimming for the season at the beginning of the month, according to Deignan, who described water conditions Saturday as “very challenging.”