LAKEVIEW — An 18-year-old man looking for a better view of Lake Michigan at Diversey Harbor was swept into the churning water by a "rogue wave" Thursday, fire officials said.
Divers looked for the man for over an hour before calling off the search due to the "extreme turbulence" of the frigid water, said Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.
Shortly before a 911 call at 11:44 a.m., the man was walking with a friend near the lakefront and decided to walk out on a concrete jetty on Lake Michigan near the opening into Diversey Harbor.
"Two young people went out there and one wanted to go closer to the waves," Langford said.
Though the "area was relatively calm at the time," Langford said a "rogue wave" swept over the barrier and pulled the man into the water.
The man's friend tried to help, but couldn't. Four fire department divers, from a helicopter and dive truck, searched the water, which had a temperature in the low 30s.
The search was called off at 1:05 p.m. due to "extreme turbulence" and "no visibility," Langford said.
A young man claiming to be the victim's classmate said that they are both from Aurora, and are both seniors at East Aurora High School.
"My friend just texted me, so I came here. I think he was with some other friends and he just got too close to the railing. The cops told the other guys to leave," the teen, who declined to give his name, said.
"He was a really funny guy and did lots of goofy stuff," he said. "It doesn't surprise me that he came here in the middle of the day but I can't believe he fell over like that."
He added, "I haven't seen him at school in a while. I think he may have dropped out."
Water response person swept into lake Michigan by wave at diversey harbor. Incident bonified but no recovery yet. Victim 18 years old
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) February 25, 2016
Total of four divers looked for victim at diversey with extreme turbulence. Search suspended after one hour.
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) February 25, 2016
A rogue wave swept an 18-year-old man off the concrete jetty in the right of this photo. (Bing)
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