Emergency crews searching Lake Michigan for missing man at Rainbow Beach

CHICAGO (WGN) – Emergency crews are searching for a man in the waters of Lake Michigan at Rainbow Beach in South Shore on the city’s South Side.

Initial reports indicate a 911 call was made just after 1 p.m. Thursday regarding two people struggling in the water. When first responders arrived, they found a woman on the break wall who said a man was still in the water, according to authorities.

Fire officials said the man and woman were meditating when they decided to go for a swim across the water to the break wall. The woman made it, but the man did not.

“She has stated as she was swimming across, she didn’t realize how strong the current was,” Deputy District Fire Chief Jason Lach said. “By the time she was able to get ahold of somebody, we were unfortunately unable to recover them.”

Authorities later said the rescue mission has since turned into a recovery mission.

Lach said the woman was clinging to the rocks and yelled for help for quite some time until a witness heard her and called 911.

Authorities advised the public to stay out of the water as no lifeguards are on duty after Labor Day.

No other information was released.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.