[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...0b602bd61d.html

Man nearly drowns in Lake Michigan at Michigan City
September 10, 2012 6:30 am • Stan Maddux Times Correspondent


MICHIGAN CITY | A Chicago area man nearly drowned Sunday afternoon in a choppy Lake Michigan at Michigan City.

Michigan City Fire Department public information officer Mark Baker said the man was already on the beach when firefighters arrived and took over efforts to revive him from civilians.

Baker said firefighters were dispatched at 5:38 p.m. and reached Frederick McKeown in four minutes.

McKeown, 57, was transported by ambulance to Franciscan St. Anthony Health by paramedics with the LaPorte County Emergency Medical Service.

His condition was not known, but hospital officials reported Monday afternoon that he was still alive, said officials with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources office in Michigan City.

According to Michigan City Police, McKeown was in the water with his son in-law.

Officials said that his son-in-law told him not to go out so far because of the high waves.

McKeown was knocked beneath the surface by a high wave and his son-in-law tried reaching him, but was unable to.

Police said his son-in-law went to shore and asked Ryan McGrath, 27, of Michigan City to help.

McGrath was able to reach McKeown after he resurfaced and got him back to the shore, police said.

"He got caught in the waves," said Michigan City Police Detective Bureau Commander Lt. Cary Brinkman.

The near drowning occurred about three blocks east of Washington Park.

U.S. Coast Guard officer Gene Dayneko said winds coming out of the north at 16 miles per hour created four foot waves.

Coast guard rescuers were about to respond when called back.

"We were going to head out there but he was already fished out of the water," said Dayneko.

[Southsider2k12]

http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2012-...w-lake-michigan

Chicago man pulled from Lake Michigan dies
September 11, 2012

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MICHIGAN CITY — A Chicago area man died Monday less than 24 hours after being pulled from the choppy waters of Lake Michigan.

Frederick McKeown, 57, was taken off life support.

''He got caught in that undertow,'' LaPorte County Coroner John Sullivan said.

According to police, his son in-law, Scott Schilke, warned him about 6 p.m. Sunday to not go out too far away from shore, but he then disappeared.

Schilke tried reaching him but went to shore and solicitated the help of Ryan McGrath, 27, of Michigan City. The men were able to grab McKeown and pulled him back to shore.

Sullivan said McKeown at first was resuscitated.

Undertow warnings were posted, Sullivan said.

''People really have to heed the warnings,'' he added.

[Ang]

At the state park, if there are no lifeguards on duty, the rangers won't let you swim. If you're caught in the water, you get fined. If the water is choppy, or has rip currents, they send the life guards home.

And that's probably why we don't read about people being sucked out from the state park beach.