7 rescued from Lake Michigan after break wall crash - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

The Coast Guard rescued seven people late Sunday night after the boat they were riding in crashed into a break wall on Lake Michigan.

The incident occurred not far from the Coast Guard station at 95th street and the lake on the far South Side.

A Coast Guard spokesperson said their small boat hit the breakwater about a half-mile from the beach at 98th street. The wall extends from shore to Indiana on the southern side.

The group was on its way back from a rock concert held near Northerly Island when they got into trouble heading back to the Calumet River harbor.

Officials said the operator became disoriented and crashed the 32 ft. powerboat into the wall around 11:20 p.m.

Thankfully every member of the group was wearing a life jacket, and managed to get to the wall and cling to it until help arrived. The people on board waved down a tugboat and that helped speed up the rescue.

All seven people were treated and released at the scene.

There is no official word on whether alcohol was involved, but the driver was detained for a possible DUI, but police have not commented on that development.

Another Coast Guard official said although the wall helps reduce the size of waves coming in from the northeast and it is very well lit, it can be dangerous at night because any driver could become disoriented. He cautioned boaters to keep alert when returning to Lake Michigan Harbors.

As of Monday morning, the severely damaged boat remained on the break wall for the owner to pick up. AirFOX flew over the scene and saw that the boat had sunk as of 8 a.m.

Officials said Sunday night's water was choppy, with about 5 ft. waves. A small craft advisory was in effect Monday, where 8 ft. waves crashed onto the shore and into the break wall.