A boating excursion on Lake Michigan turned tragic last Friday when high winds and waves caused a 19-foot fishing vessel to capsize near East Chicago, Indiana. According to NBC Chicago, two men were aboard the craft, engaged in an afternoon of fishing by the East Chicago steel mill when the boat was overwhelmed by the conditions. One man managed to return to shore with the assistance of a bystander and was subsequently hospitalized.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office reported that a 73-year-old man, later identified as Thomas Barragan of Oak Forest, did not survive. Rescuers found his body following a search after the incident. Referring to the same event, ABC7 Chicago verified that the surviving man, also from Oak Forest, was picked up by a good Samaritan in another fishing vessel.

Efforts to recover the capsized boat were hindered by inclement weather, but teams were expected to resume the task the following morning. Meanwhile, the survivor's condition remained unreported, although he is purportedly suffering from hypothermia but is expected to make it through. The water conditions at the time of the accident were severe, with 5-foot to 6-foot waves recorded and a chilling 37-degree water temperature.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is leading the investigation into the cause of the accident.