Four people on Jet Skis who were “stranded” on a breakwall were rescued by Chicago police marine unit officers Monday afternoon near Monroe Harbor.
The accident occurred about 1:45 p.m., and none of the people involved were injured, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford and police.
“The police boat got there first and plucked them out of the water,” Langford said, adding the breakwall was near Buckingham Fountain.
The four were aboard two Jet Skis that apparently lost power, causing them to plunge into the water and drift into the breakwall, officials said.
The four were brought to shore by the police boat, which also towed the Jet Skis.
Marine unit officers were stationed a mile away when a boater pulling into Monroe Harbor the people struggling and called OEMC at 1:47 p.m., said Officer Greg Payne of the police marine unit.
“They were stranded on the breakwall,” Payne said. “They were just kind of holding on to it. It’s a precarious situation.”
After losing power, they ended up against the breakwall battling powerful waves.
“That’ll smash them apart,” Payne said.
When the police boat pulled up they were in the water — two still aboard each Jet Ski and two in the water, grinding up on the rock, Payne said.
The ones on the skis had to grasp the concrete of the wall while also using their shoulders to prevent the Jet Skis from crashing into the concrete.
It was unclear why they lost power, but Payne said the four were unhurt.
“They’re fine.”
