Northwestern University student dies after being pulled out of Lake Michigan in Evanston
A Northwestern University student was pronounced dead after she was pulled from Lake Michigan on Wednesday morning near the school's Evanston campus.
Around 7 a.m., Evanston police and firefighters responded to the lakefront near the university's southern lakefill area, just north of Clark Street Beach, after a person spotted a person in the water.
Rescue divers pulled an unresponsive woman out of the water and began performing CPR. She was taken to Endeavor Health Evanston Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police said she had been in the water for about 30 minutes.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's office said the victim is a 19-year-old woman. Northwestern University officials confirmed she was a student. CBS News Chicago is not identifying the woman out of respect for her family's wishes. Sources said she is from out of state.
"Our thoughts are with the student's family and friends. The University is providing support services to impacted community members," a Northwestern spokesperson said.
The woman's death is under investigation, but police said there is no danger to the public.
Jackie Ovalles said she was taking her husband to work at Northwestern when she saw the commotion on the lakefront on Wednesday morning.
"It's sad. I'm sure there's students from all over the world, and we have a lot of visitors not from Illinois near Lake Michigan, and Lake Michigan can be dangerous, and a lot of people aren't aware of how dangerous it can be," she said.
Police also warned that Lake Michigan can be dangerous.
"Hazard warnings and signs prohibiting swimming and fishing are posted along Northwestern University's lakefront property. Evanston Police urge people to follow posted warnings, check lake conditions before approaching the water and follow instructions from city or university officials to stay out of the water and off break walls and rocks," police said.
Evanston's beaches have been closed since Labor Day, the traditional end of the swimming season on Lake Michigan, so no lifeguards were on duty.
