NewsLocal News

Actions

Good Samaritan, 14-year-old boy die after getting caught in Lake Michigan current, sheriff's office says

Posted at 3:41 PM, Aug 09, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-09 16:41:17-04

MILWAUKEE -- A 14-year-old boy and a 50-year-old man who tried to save him were both killed after being pulled underwater in Lake Michigan off of McKinley Beach, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.

According to a news release from the sheriff's office, deputies were called to McKinley Beach at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday for a report of two boys in the water who had failed to resurface. Deputies determined that two 14-year-old boys had gone into the water. When one began to struggle, the second tried to help him, but both became caught in a current.

A 50-year-old bystander saw the boys and went in the water to try to help them. The Good Samaritan was able to rescue one of the boys, but was pulled underwater when he tried to save the second.

Deputies say they recovered the 50-year-old man from the water at about 6:47 p.m. He was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead Sunday morning.

The 14-year-old boy was recovered from the water at about 7:07 p.m. According to the news release, the Milwaukee Fire Department immediately began life-saving measures, but the boy was pronounced dead at 7:33 p.m.

Another drowning occurred at McKinley Beach last month, when a 19-year-old man was pronounced dead after he rescued two children from large waves.

Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip