At approximately 12:55 p.m., two kayakers were spotting in the river near Larrabee Street and Chicago Avenue.
Several minutes later, their kayaks were overturned near Wolf Point and the Chicago Police Marine Unit had to rescue the boaters from the hostile waters.
A third kayaker was snatched from the river north of Wolf Point, where the river crosses Halsted Street.
Preliminary reports indicated a total of four kayaks were in the river when the weather turned violent.
At the time of this report, officials were still in the process of making sure everyone was out of the water.
Citing police communications, the business that owns the kayaks, Kayak Chicago, may face fines for allowing the boaters to enter the water during the approaching storm.
If more details emerge, this article will be updated accordingly.
Photo credit: VirtualTourist.com
UPDATE: 1:57 p.m. -- Police said everyone was accounted for and no injuries were reported.
UPDATE: 2:02 p.m. -- 61 people were in the water when the storm hit. The Chicago Marine Unit rescued 26 people and the Chicago Fire Department rescued 35.
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ReplyDeleteWhy in the world would a story like this cause someone to write something objectionable? Having a bad day?
DeleteThat storm was fierce n fast with 90 mph winds clocked. I was riding the bike path to the beach n had to duck under a viaduct.
I wondered about the sail boats caught out on the lake? I later saw the CG chopper repeatedly flying over the Hollywood/Foster area.
MC, don't shoot the messenger. This information came straight from the authorities. If someone lied, it wasn't CNR.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update.
Betcha these were all white people, too.
ReplyDeleteDoes the city charge these river kayakers and lake boaters who get into trouble and need to be rescued?
They should bill them. The Coast Guard does.
Prolly mostly suburbanites and tourists anyway.
This was politically motivated by parties who don't want the kayakers in Chicago river. Kayakers seem to be viewed by larger boats as a nuisance or competition. There weren't that many needing rescue.
ReplyDelete