PORTER, Ind. (WWJ) - A 38-year-old school teacher from Florida has died after he tried to rescue a teen in the waters of Lake Michigan on Monday, the Associated Press reported.
Lifeguards recovered the body 38-year-old Thomas Kenning apporximently 15 minutes after he disappeared under the waves at Porter Beach in Indiana Dunes State Park.
According to the Associated Press, Kenning was found floating about 25 feet from shore -- he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Kenning, a native from St. Petersburg, Fla., ventured out into Lake Michigan after he saw a teenage girl in struggling in the water -- Kenning slipped under the waves and did not resurface.
Lifeguards were able to rescue the teen.
The AP reports Porter Beach — where the incident occurred — was closed for swimming on Monday afternoon due to dangerous swimming conditions.
Chesterton Fire Chief Eric Camel said waves on Lake Michigan reached anywhere between three and five feet throughout the day.
The beach is considered “swim at your own risk” and is not guarded.
On Friday, many beaches in several counties along Lake Michigan were flying red flags due to a high risk of dangerous rip currents.
Officials are also concerned that piers may be heavily swamped by large waves.
The posted beach warnings include Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren Counties.
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