STORY YOUMISSED
Authorities have identified a 13-year-old boy who died after vanishing beneath the surface of Lake Michigan earlier this week, according to a report by ABC7 Chicago.
The La Porte County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Wednesday that emergency crews recovered the body of Keegan Roberts of Michigan City.
The teenager originally went missing on Monday afternoon near Washington Park Beach after he entered the water and failed to resurface.
Search teams eventually located the child in roughly 11 feet of water on the east side of the local pier.
WATCH VIDEO BELOW.
La Porte County Coroner Lynn Neel stated that rough lake conditions should have prevented anyone from entering the water that day.
A federal beach hazard statement remained active at the time of the incident, warning visitors of powerful waves measuring between four and six feet high.
Indiana Conservation Police suspended their initial rescue efforts on Monday night due to these dangerous water conditions before resuming the search on Tuesday morning.
Available drone footage captured around the time of the disappearance shows heavily agitated, choppy waters repeatedly slamming into the lighthouse pier.
A local photographer observed Roberts wading in just a few feet of water with a small group of children minutes before the lake pulled him under.
The turbulent lake conditions posed an immediate threat to first responders, injuring four divers during the initial phase of the rescue operation.
Medical personnel treated all four rescue divers for minor injuries sustained during the underwater search.
Investigators confirmed that they do not suspect any foul play in connection with the teenager’s death.
State officials noted that this tragedy marks the very first reported drowning on the Indiana side of Lake Michigan for the current summer season.
Community Safety Awareness: Great Lakes Swim Safety
This tragic incident highlights the unpredictable dangers of swimming in the Great Lakes, where conditions change rapidly. Local safety officials urge residents and visitors to follow these critical rules before entering the water:
Check the Flags: Always look for the beach warning flags, and never enter the water when a red flag is flying.
Avoid Piers and Structures: Avoid swimming anywhere near piers, breakwalls, or lighthouses, as these structures create powerful, invisible currents that can trap swimmers.
Understand High Waves: Wave heights above three feet can easily overpower experienced swimmers and create deadly rip currents.
