2 girls thrown from jet ski, rescued from lake near Winnetka

Two girls were rescued late this afternoon after they were thrown from a jet ski and stranded in Lake Michigan for about a hour, officials said.

The girls, both 14, told rescuers they made a sharp turn and were thrown from the jet ski, said U.S. Coast Guard Command Duty Officer Charles Wolfson.

The girls were about four miles north of Winnetka when the accident occurred, he said.

The girls were stranded in the water for about a hour before they were found by a coast guard helicopter crew when they spotted the jet ski and then located the girls, he said.

The jet ski had an automatic shut off switch and the girls were both wearing life jackets, Wolfson said.

“We were happy the girls were wearing life jackets–it saved their lives,” he said.

A rescue boat was deployed to the girls’ location and they were taken back to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Wilmette Station, where they were treated for hypothermia, Wolfson said. He added the water temperature is currently 60 degrees.

As of 6:15 p.m., it was not clear if the girl were taken to the hospital for additional treatment.

dawilliams@tribune.com

Twitter: @neacynewslady

Article source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-2-girls-rescued-from-lake-near-winnetka-after-thrown-from-jet-ski-20120528,0,3538092.story

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