Missing swimmer in Evanston: Search at Lighthouse Beach continues

EVANSTON, Ill. - Lighthouse Beach in Evanston remained closed while emergency personnel searched for a missing swimmer Monday morning. 

Four swimmers were struggling in the water Sunday afternoon and three of them – a woman and two teenage females – were rescued by a community member, according to Evanston Fire Department. 

The fourth swimmer, a 41-year-old man, is still missing. 

Search and rescue teams were on Lake Michigan for several hours Sunday and had to suspend the search due to low visibility.

Evanston authorities said they’re using sonar technology to search the lake, setting a grid search area, due to conditions and their experience. 

The incident happened at 4 p.m. Sunday, according to Evanston police's post on "X."  One of the teens was taken to an area hospital for treatment but has since been released.

Lighthouse Beach was under a Red Flag Alert on Sunday, meaning water conditions were deemed "dangerous" and swimming was not permitted, according to the fire department. Lifeguards were also not on duty.

As the search continued Monday morning, divers, jet skis and a department vessel were in the water, where the man was last seen. The Chicago Fire Department's helicopter also assisted in the response.

Officials began calling the search a recovery mission. 

We'll bring more updates as they become available.