CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A Beach Hazard remains in effect Friday morning for dangerous waves and strong rip current along the lakefront in Chicago and the surrounding area.
The National Weather Service issued a Beach Hazard Statement for Lake and Cook counties in Illinois and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana.
The weather service said high wave action and dangerous swimming conditions are expected with waves reaching three to six feet. The NWS also warns of strong rip currents and structural currents.
Those visiting the beaches and lakefront are advised to stay out of the water.
The dangerous conditions led to a death Thursday when a man tried helping an 11-year-old girl who got swept into the water near 31st Street Beach on the South Side.
The girl was swept into the lake about 1:50 p.m. while standing on a breakwall in the 700 block of East 31st Drive, according to Chicago police. The man, later identified as 35-year-old Rene Padilla, jumped in to try to help her.
Police and fire crews and Chicago Park District lifeguards responded to pull them out of the water, police said.
The man was unresponsive by the time he was out of the lake, according to police and fire officials. He was taken in critical condition to Mercy Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities issued a warning that anyone visiting the lakefront should stay out of the water, with the Beach Hazard Statement in effect through late Friday night.