Oak Creek Bender Park water rescue; 1 dead, 1 in critical condition
OAK CREEK, Wis. - One teen is dead and another is in critical condition after a Lake Michigan water rescue in Oak Creek on Wednesday night, June 26.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said three juveniles were in distress in the water off Bender Park just before 8:30 p.m. when the Milwaukee County 911 Dispatch Center was notified of a possible drowning.
Officials said two juveniles were pulled from the water, one of them with abnormal breathing. That juvenile has been hospitalized in critical condition.
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A third juvenile was initially missing and was found dead around 10 p.m. The medical examiner's office identified that person on Thursday as 17-year-old Mohamad Hassan.
All three juveniles are believed to be related. All were believed to have been swimming when they became distressed in the water.
Medical examiner records say they were in the water about 30 yards offshore when Hassan's father saw the three get taken underwater by strong currents.
Miles away, as people sunned at McKinley Beach, beach ambassadors were on hand along the shore, to inform and educate.
Scene at Bender Park
"That's one of our main talking points, that’s one of the main reasons the program was created because of some drownings," beach ambassador Grace Caster said regarding rip currents. "If the water’s up to your knees, and you already feel it swaying, that’s a sign that you don’t want to go much further."
It's a yearly program, part of a coalition of nonprofits to prevent deaths.
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If you're caught in a rip current, don't panic and don't fight it. Float.
If you're a strong swimmer, try to swim parallel to shore. If you can, wave and get help.
For those on shore, call 911, but don't try to be a hero.
"Don’t run in after them, grab a life ring," Caster said. "Throw the life ring, and then have someone call 911, so they can get a dispatch out."
MCSO personnel responded on Wednesday night, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and city of Oak Creek first responders.