Three male swimmers in their twenties encountered trouble with waters in Lake Michigan near Lighthouse Beach in Evanston a couple minutes before sunset Saturday night. Two swimmers were rescued, and one was found deceased just over 2.5 hours after the incident and the initial dispatch response to the call for help to 9-1-1.
A male victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was identified as a Saher Khan, a 24 year-old male from Hanover Park, according to the Cook County Medical Examiners Office. The missing swimmer was about 50 feet out from shore when he was last seen.
Police, firefighters and paramedics from Evanston responded about 7:02 p.m. Saturday, September 13, 2025 to a report of a person in danger in the waters of Lake Michigan near Lighthouse Beach, 2611 Sheridan Road in Evanston.
Police officers were first on the scene and reported that the incident was a confirmed drowning, and/or near drowning. While firefighters and paramedics were responding, they learned that there were possibly three victims in the water. Subsequently the battalion chief for Evanston fire Department activated a MABAS Box Alarm.
Upon arrival Fire Command reported that one victim was receiving CPR on the beach and that a second victim was also on the beach, but a third victim was still missing in the waters of Lake Michigan. It was not confirmed whether the one victim was actually receiving CPR or was only receiving airway management or other simpler revival measures.
Fire department rescue swimmers immediately entered Lake Michigan near Lighthouse Beach to attempt to locate the missing swimmer. The missing swimmer was not immediately found and the rescue operation eventually transitioned to a recovery operation.
The missing swimmer’s body was recovered from Lake Michigan waters near Evanston’s Lighthouse Beach at about 9:40 p.m., after an extensive search on Saturday night, according to the Evanston Fire Department. Bystanders rescued two of the swimmers from the water, fire officials said. The two rescued men were evaluated and released on the scene, according to the Evanston Fire Department.
Evanston Fire Department, MABAS Division 3 fire personnel, the Chicago Fire Department (CFD Helicopter 6-8-1), and the US Coast Guard searched for a third swimmer, and found his body around 9:40 p.m. Saturday. MABAS Division 3 fire personnel are from area municipalities and fire districts, who were also assigned to the scene.
Skokie, Northfield, the MABAS Division 3 Dive Team, the Division 3 Boat Package, and other teams were part of the MABAS Division 3 personnel assigned to the scene.
Evanston’s Deputy Chief of Operations Bill Muno said Lake Michigan conditions made the search difficult. He told reporters that the water wasn’t terribly bad near shore, but that it was rough beyond the breakwall.
There were no weather alerts or beach hazards statements from the National Weather Service (NWS) Saturday night, September 13, 2025. The most recent NWS Beach Hazards Statement was issued August 29, 2025. However, there are permanent “No Swimming” signs posted at the Lighthouse Beach.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s family and loved ones. This is a constant reminder to anyone that these waters are dangerous and should adhere to the posted no swimming signs. We thank our regional partners, including MABAS Division 3, the Coast Guard, and the Chicago Fire Department, for their swift assistance.”
— Evanston Fire Chief Paul Polep
Sheridan Road was blocked in the area of Central Road during the fire department operations.
In August 2025, a 17-year-old Niles North High School student was rescued from Lake Michigan waters at the same Evanston beach. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.
The tragic incident is under investigation.
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