A man was hospitalized in critical condition Sunday after bystanders pulled him from Lake Michigan near Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, authorities said.
The man, believed to be between 25 and 35 years old, was found unresponsive in the water. Bystanders went into the lake and brought him to the breakwall, where emergency personnel began providing aid.
Illinois State Park personnel and Lake County Sheriff’s officers started CPR before Zion Fire and Rescue crews arrived and took over advanced life support measures.
The man was then transported to an area hospital, where he remained in critical condition.
Authorities had not released additional information about his identity or what led to the incident as of the latest reports.
The rescue comes at a location where water conditions on Lake Michigan can change quickly. The National Weather Service’s recent beach forecast for the Illinois Beach State Park area listed a moderate swim risk, with waves reaching 2 to 4 feet and northeast winds around 15 mph.
Illinois’ BeachGuard system currently lists the Illinois Beach State Park North Beach as open. The site also shows several temporary beach closures earlier in 2026 because of elevated bacteria levels.
No further details about the man’s condition or the circumstances surrounding the rescue were immediately available.
