A 15-year-old boy from Tinley Park died Saturday after he was rescued from Lake Michigan off a beach in New Buffalo, Mich., officials said.
Officials received a call just after 3:30 p.m. Saturday with reports of a swimmer in distress off the shore of New Buffalo City Beach, police said.
The teen was rescued by lifeguard staff who began CPR immediately, according to authorities.
The teen was transported to Saint Anthony Hospital in Michigan City, Ind. and later to University of Chicago Hospital for further treatment.
He was pronounced dead at 8:21 p.m. at University of Chicago Hospital, officials said.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office said they were not releasing the name of the boy, but an autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.
Family and friends identified the 15-year-old as Matt Kocher.
Friends said Kocher was a sophomore at Victor J. Andrew High School and that he was a very involved student.
Kocher played basketball and football at the school, friends said.
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"He was an amazing, gentle giant," said long-time friend Tyler Tebo. "He always had a smile on his face."
Police said red flags were on display Saturday to indicate a rip current advisory.
The Coast Guard Station in Michigan City reported wave heights of 3 to 5 feet, rip current advisories, and small watercraft advisories at the the time of the incident.
"I've always heard the stories on the news, you know, this guy was taken in a rip current or this person killed, but not someone this close," Tebo said.
The National Weather Service issued a hazardous beach advisory Saturday afternoon that remains in effect until Monday morning.
