A windsurfer in distress on Lake Michigan was rescued by a Coast Guard cutter about a mile off Lee Street Beach late this afternoon.
Evanston Fire Department water rescue crews also searched for the windsurfer and those crews returned the windsurfer’s craft to Dempster Street beach.
The Coast Guard took the victim to the Coast Guard station at Wilmette Harbor, where he requested medical assistance from Wilmette paramedics.
The windsurfer had been able to contact a friend by cell phone while out on the water and the friend called 911 to alert officials to his need for assistance.
Update 10/18/16: Here’s a video of the rescue from the Coast Guard.