UPDATE: Crews searching Lake Michigan for missing boy

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Lake Michigan Coast Guard Search Missing Boy

A Coast Guard helicopter searches the waters of Lake Michigan in Porter County Saturday. Crews were searching for a boy who disappeared while swimming. (Photo by viewer Rick Copenhaver)

By Jim Pinkerton

Story Created: Aug 2, 2008 at 3:44 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 3, 2008 at 9:50 PM EST

PORTER COUNTY — Crews spent Saturday and Sunday searching for a boy feared drowned in Lake Michigan.

Raphael Palomar, 13, of Chicago was last seen swimming with his younger brother just before 2 p.m. Saturday at Porter Beach near Chesterton. The waves were reported to be 3-5 feet high at the time, and signs warned of dangerous riptides.

Bystanders reportedly pulled Palomar's 10-year-old brother from the water, but were unable to reach Raphael.

The Coast Guard had a boat in the water and a helicopter searching from the air.

Rescue crews had to suspend diving operations. They say rip currents in the water were too strong.

Wednesday, Aug 6 at 9:57 AM I KNEW HIM wrote ...

this is so sad i knew this KID he was my half brothers cousin were are all praying and please keep my family i prayers please

Monday, Aug 4 at 7:12 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Thought and prayers with the family.

Monday, Aug 4 at 3:31 PM Lifeguard Missy, wrote ...

Heed the warnings my fiends, they are there for a reason, no matter how good of a swimmer you are it is dangerous. I worked as a lifeguard, and even I am scared of rip currents and under tow, to not be afraid and stay out when warned is crazy. no matter how strong of a swimmer just play it safe do something else that day, go back when things calm down, if you dont you may die.

Monday, Aug 4 at 12:52 PM R. wrote ...

I heard on the news that morning about how bad the tides were and that you should not go out in those waters, so I stayed home.

Monday, Aug 4 at 10:04 AM anon wrote ...

Deep sympathy to the family. Gwen, there is a simple way to avoid deep water that doesn't need to be taught by a school. It's called staying out of the water--especially when it's obviously deep and rough.

Monday, Aug 4 at 8:55 AM anonymous wrote ...

i feel so bad for the family but as others have stated people need to watch their children and heed advisorys posted at the beach. I know for a fact this family along with everyone else at the beach that day were told repeatedly to get out of the water at another park and warned of the conditions and they just proceeded to move down the beach where there were no lifeguards. so people just need to listen to instructions especially when dealing with something as powerful as lake michigan.

Monday, Aug 4 at 8:08 AM d wrote ...

I have heard of machines that create waves in pools. Perhaps someone could invent something to simulate a rip current. It's not the sort of thing that's learned easily.

Monday, Aug 4 at 4:45 AM A Mother in Goshen wrote ...

I have 2 boys the same age as these two. I can't even begin to imagine what this family is going through. My thoughts and prayers are with all involved.

Sunday, Aug 3 at 11:39 PM So sad wrote ...

I feel so for the family. This is a terrible time for them, made worse by the knowlege that it could have been prevented by listening to warnings. And, Gwen, take a deep breath and start over. There's no mention of "deep" water and with talks of layoffs, no raises for teachers, and cuts, you want to add a costly program like swimming? This boy's life was endangered by rip currents, not deep water or not knowing how to swim-which is why there were so many warnings. Too bad he didn't heed them.

Sunday, Aug 3 at 11:19 PM Dee wrote ...

Gwen...It's not up to the schools to protect kids from drowning, you moron! Where were the parents? Why didn't they keep their kids out of the water if it wasn't safe? Everyone want to blame schools for stuff that goes wrong, when it really boils down to parents doing their job.

Sunday, Aug 3 at 9:20 PM Anonymous wrote ...

good grief. wsbt has been stating for the past week that the rip currents on lake michigan were very strong and to stay out of the water.

Sunday, Aug 3 at 5:34 PM Gwen Lowellen wrote ...

Schools should open up a course in how to avoid deep water in rivers, lakes even the ocean. I do not see any courses or at least show a movie on how to avoid deep water. And the swimming lessons should be available free and compulsury to all students in all schools. So they will be able to save themselves and those who will drown anyway. Every year children die in shallow even deep water. Are schools doing their job in this area?

Sunday, Aug 3 at 3:24 PM hopeful wrote ...

News in Porter County states that the 10 year old was safely recovered while rescuers are searching for his 13 year old brother. My prayers are with the family and those searching. May God's grace be with you all.

Sunday, Aug 3 at 11:29 AM Steve Levy wrote ...

Prayers goes out to this little boys family. The rip was very strong yesterday. People were getting upset with the life guards for telling them to stay out of the water. They're there to save lifes!!!!! Remember that people...

Sunday, Aug 3 at 9:22 AM Anon wrote ...

The waves at the beach yesterday were pretty strong. The lifeguards kept telling the people to get out of the water and they would get mad at the life guards.

Sunday, Aug 3 at 3:54 AM Cindy wrote ...

Prayers and sympathies to the family of this ladd, and for those invovled in the search. It's nerve numbing how fast and dramatically a life can change when this type of tragedy occurs. May the anxious moments give way to the peaceful knowledge that God is with this child and that the boy is wrapped in a blanket of happiness now and forever.

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