The Lake County Sheriff’s Marine Unit rescued three swimmers in distress yesterday afternoon on Petite Lake in unincorporated Lake Villa.
On Saturday, July 18, 2026, at approximately 2:50 p.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies were on patrol, utilizing the personal watercrafts (PWCs) provided by Nielsen Enterprises, through Sea Doo’s public safety loan program.
While patrolling, the operator of a rental boat carrying several people celebrating a bachelor party, flagged down the deputies, stated he was an inexperienced boat operator, and was looking for his three friends who were missing in the water. Lake County Sheriff’s deputies began searching and located the three about 100 yards away from the rental boat. The swimmers were showing signs of distress and struggling to stay afloat in the water.
Deputies quickly maneuvered to the swimmers before they slipped beneath the surface and instructed them to grab onto one of the rescue bars on the personal watercrafts. All three were safely rescued and returned to the rental boat.
Great Prices: Amazon Grocery Bottled WaterSheriff John D. Idleburg said, “We have worked hard over the years to build and strengthen our Marine Unit, and this is exactly why. Three young adults who had been drinking and were not wearing life jackets could have lost their lives. Because our Marine Unit was on the water and ready to respond, and thanks to our valued partnership with Nielsen Enterprises, which provides the personal watercraft our deputies use, they were rescued before tragedy struck.”
The operator of the rental boat was not found to be operating under the influence, however, alcohol was a factor for the swimmers rescued.
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