1 killed, multiple injured in 2-boat collision on Lake Michigan
One person is dead, and four people were seriously injured after two boats crashed Thursday night near downtown Chicago, according to the Chicago Fire Department.
In a press release, the Coast Guard said it received notice of the crash, which occurred near Monroe Harbor, from the Chicago Police Department at 11:44 p.m.
Of the 14 people involved in the collision, five were rushed to the hospital in serious to grave condition, and nine refused treatment, according to the Chicago Fire Department.
Johanna H. Gregory, 26, was later confirmed by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office to have died following the crash.
Three were taken to Northwestern Hospital and two to Stroger Hospital, according to the Coast Guard.
CFD said one boat overtook the other when both were coming back to port, about 1.5 miles from shore, according to ABC News affiliate station WLS. The cause of the crash is not clear at this time, but lake conditions did not seem to have an effect, WLS reported.
The Coast Guard towed one boat to Queen’s Landing near Buckingham Fountain, and took the other vessel in tow, transferring its passengers to the Chicago Marine Police Department headquarters, the press release said. One boat contained nine passengers and the other contained five, according to the press release.
The ages of the passengers on the boat ranged from 18 to 26 years old, according to WLS.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident.
