September 4, 2010
BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich.-- A Chicago man is presumed dead after he and two friends ignored a rip current warning and he was dragged out into Lake Michigan Friday evening in southwest Michigan.

Emergency personnel responded at 5:05 p.m. Friday Chicago time to a report of a distressed swimmer off a private Lake Michigan beach in the 7200 block of Waveland Path and learned that 26-year-old Chicago resident Timothy Horvath had been caught in the current and was missing in the water, according to a Lincoln Charter Township, Mich., police release.

Horvath and two brothers -- Sean and Robert Finnerman, of Lincolnwood -- were staying at a nearby seasonal residence and decided to go for a swim in Lake Michigan, according to the release.

Police said the three entered the lake -- which had high waves because of heavy winds -- with a small rubber raft, but quickly became separated. The Finnermans managed to follow the raft back to shore, but Horvath became caught in the current and was seen drifting out into the lake and being pulled under by the current.

Responders used a helicopter to search, as water rescue efforts were limited due to high winds and strong rip currents. Fire personnel attempting to enter the lake with jet-ski equipment were injured during the rescue attempt

The National Weather Service had issued a rip current statement at 9 a.m. Friday Chicago time warning people to stay off the lake.

Rip currents form when wind pushes water and sand toward the shore and water collects between the submerged sandbar and beach. Eventually, too much water accumulates by the shore, causing water to break through the sandbar and flow out to deeper water like a river. Rip currents are too strong to swim against; swimmers caught in one should paddle parallel to the shore until they get out of the current.