By Times Staff | Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 9:15 pm | No Comments Posted

MICHIGAN CITY | Three people were hospitalized Tuesday after swimming near the lighthouse pier at Washington Park, officials said.
A 10-year-old boy, 14-year-old girl and 53-year-old woman were hospitalized after rip currents swept them away from the shore, according to a Department of Natural Resources news release.
Lifeguards had warned everyone to get out of the water about 4 p.m., DNR officer Gene Davis said.
"The people that didn't pay heed to the lifeguards and then went further down the beach to outside the lifeguarded area," he said.
Everybody in the water struggled in the current, Davis said. Those who were in danger were assisted by other swimmers and at least one lifeguard spotted a swimmer and assisted, he said.
The woman and girl were treated at Franciscan St. Anthony Health in Michigan City and released. The boy was rushed to the hospital and then transported to South Bend for further evaluation.
"A lot of people get the feeling that it's not going to happen to them or it doesn't happen to anyone," Davis said. "But nobody is exempt."