Police Suspend Search For Missing Swimmer At Montrose Beach
Updated 06/05/17 - 10:37 a.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago police have suspended the second day of searching for a swimmer reported missing Sunday night near Montrose Beach, due to high waves on Lake Michigan.
Police said the woman, thought to be in her 40s, entered the water around 9:30 p.m. Sunday near Simonds Drive and Montrose Avenue, but never returned.
Searchers spent about 90 minutes looking for her Sunday night via helicopter, from the ground, and from the water.
The search effort was suspended around 11 p.m., with no trace of the victim.
The Chicago Police Department Marine Unit resumed the search around 9 a.m. Monday, but suspended the search a second time around 10:30 a.m., due to high waves.
Two boats arrived right as conditions in the water really began to deteriorate. The boats were being tossed about on large waves and swells before police suspended the search.
Police were attempting to search underwater using cameras, but the waves churned up so much sand that visibility was all but nonexistent.
In addition to the choppy water on Lake Michigan, the water temperature in Lake Michigan is about 60 degrees, which is extremely cold for swimming. Even accomplished swimmers generally should avoid swimming in such cold water.
The National Weather Service also has issued a beach hazard statement through Tuesday night, due to waves of 5 to 8 feet and strong rip currents and structural currents along the lakefront.
"Life threatening waves and currents are expected at the beaches. People visiting the beaches should stay out of the water," the National Weather Service advisory said. "Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in sandbars. Rip currents can sweep you into deeper water."
