(Michigan City, IN) - A search was conducted last evening for a child who reportedly went underwater at the beach in Michigan City.

 

According to police, officers just after 5:30 p.m. were dispatched to Washington Park for a possible drowning.  Bystanders observed a child wearing red shorts enter Lake Michigan along the east side of the catwalk and just south of the lighthouse.

 

The child never resurfaced after entering the water which initiated an immediate response from the Michigan City Police Department, Michigan City Fire Department, Long Beach Police Department, LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and LaPorte County Emergency Medical Service.

 

Police said a fishing charter boat and drone technology were used to assist in the search efforts.  A medical helicopter was dispatched to the area and remained on standby while first responders continued to search for the missing child.

 

Despite the immediate deployment of multiple agencies and specialized dive teams, challenging water conditions significantly impeded search operations.  After multiple hours of an exhaustive search, dive efforts were suspended due to hazardous conditions that posed a substantial threat to the safety of responding personnel.

 

During the operation, police said three divers from the Michigan City Fire Department sustained minor injuries and were transported to Franciscan Health for medical treatment.  An Indiana DNR diver was also injured and evaluated by EMS at the scene.

 

Divers from the Michigan City Police Department will continue to assist the Indiana DNR in their search efforts to locate the missing child, authorities said.