Missing Boaters Recovered From Lake Michigan Friday Near BP In Whiting
Indiana Conservation Officers were called to Whihala Beach Friday afternoon, around 1 PM, to make the recovery of 2 bodies who went missing after jumping into Lake Michigan.
The bodies of Eduardo Rivera Jr., 45, and Salvador Lopez, 32, both of Elk Grove, Ill., were recovered this afternoon from Lake Michigan. Both victims were located approximately one and a half miles from where they were last seen on July 5.
Around 2:30 PM, July 5th, Lake County Sheriff Officers, Indiana Conservation Officers, Hammond Fire Department, and Coast Guard Officials were called to Lake Michigan for boaters in distress.
The caller advised 911 that one of the riders had jumped into the water to swim and began to struggle. The male who jumped in was not wearing a life jacket at the time, according to Conservation Officers. Two other males, one of which was the captain of the boat, jumped in to assist the man but only one of these two men were wearing a life jacket. During that time all 3 males began to struggle while the boat began to drift further away. The 9 other occupants on the boat attempted to throw numerous life jackets into the water but were unsuccessful in reaching the men.
The exact location of the boat was unknown and first responders searched for approximately 30 minutes before locating the boat about a mile off shore from the Inland break wall. The water is approximately 33 feet deep in this area.
The first responders including 3 helicopters began to search a vast area not knowing where exactly the men had gone in it. One male wearing a life jacket was rescued around 4:30 PM and transported to a local hospital. The other two males are believed to have gone under shortly after jumping in.
The 9 other passengers on the boat were brought to the Hammond Marina and were in shock. 5 of these 9 are believed to be juveniles who watched their fathers struggle in the water.
