Lake Michigan has claimed another kayaker. Connie Alton was a regular Lake Michigan solo paddler. On Wednesday afternoon (June 4th) she went out on Lake Michigan. Her body was recovered the next morning on the beach in Lake Bluff, Illinois.
During the time Connie was on and in the water winds were about 10 miles and hour from the northeast, veering gradually to the south. Waves were about 1 foot high. The air and water temperatures were in the mid-50s.
What was unusual about the day was a dense fog. The fog was so dense that an experienced CASKA paddler who planned to put in at another location turned back at the water’s edge because of the fog. It is only speculation at this point whether fog was a contributing factor in Alton’s death.
The news reports indicate that Alton was not wearing her PFD even though she had it along with her. There is no indication that she was wearing immersion wear such as a drysuit or a wetsuit. CASKA has asked the Lake County Sheriff and Coroner for more information, but they have not responded to date.
A news report about the incident in the Daily Herald continues a particularly distressing quote from the Coroner Richard Keller:
Autopsy results confirmed a kayaker whose body was found on the shore of Lake Bluff early Thursday morning died accidentally, authorities said.
A family member reported Connie J. Alton, 52, of Prospect Heights, missing around midnight Wednesday.
At about 1 a.m. Thursday, the Great Lakes Police Department notified surrounding agencies that Alton was last seen kayaking off shore in Great Lakes' jurisdiction.
The U.S. Coast Guard spotted Alton's kayak near the shore of Sunset Beach in Lake Bluff just before 6 a.m. Thursday. They found her body shortly thereafter near a private beach just south of Sunset Beach, as well as her life vest, authorities said.
Lake Bluff/Lake Forest Rescue helped recover Alton's body and turned it over to the Lake County coroner. The kayak and life vest also were recovered.
Alton was not wearing her life vest, Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said.
"It was found floating in the water separate from her body, which was washed up on the shore," he said. "The straps and buckles were not damaged."
Keller said there was "no evidence of trauma. She did indeed drown," ruling out foul play.
"We've seen certainly more than one kayaker from Lake Michigan," Keller said. "With the conditions in that lake, it is certainly not a good place for kayaking."
Alton was an avid kayaker who kayaked in the area on a regular basis, a Lake County Sheriff's Office release said.
"Our hearts go out to Connie's family," said Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran. "I pray that Connie is at peace now with her maker."
Kelly’s comment that Lake Michigan “certainly is not a good place for kayaking” prompted a spirited response by CASKA Vice-President Paul Doughty.
The Coast Guard issued the following statement about the incident:
Great Lakes, Ill. - Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan located the deceased body of a missing female kayaker today along the shore in Lake Bluff, a few miles south of the Great Lakes Naval Training Facility.
The kayak and a floating lifejacket were also recovered as a part of the search and rescue effort that consisted of two Coast Guard boats from Kenosha, Wis.and Wilmette Harbor, Ill. as well as a rescue helicopter from Waukegan, Ill. Recovery efforts were coordinated with the Lake Bluff Police and Fire Departments.
As kayaking and canoeing continue to rise in popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, particular attention should be given to precautionary measures that need to be taken with these types of water activities. Personal flotation devices such as lifejackets should always be worn properly at all times, and float or trip plans should be given to local marinas, family members, or friends.
In addition to lifejackets, appropriate clothing and/or foul weather gear should be utilized, especially during the early months of the summer when the water temperatures remain in the low fifties. In those conditions with the wrong type of clothing or protection, survival times can be limited to 2-6 hours.
The Coast Guard is committed to ensuing that the waters of Lake Michigan remain safe and enjoyable for all to use. Please visit the USCG Boating Safety website at http://www.uscgboating.org/ for additional information concerning safety equipment and safe boating practices.
Alton’s death underscores how each paddler must take responsibility for taking appropriate safety precautions before paddling, including wearing one’s PFD, dressing for immersion, and having a VHF radio and/or phone to summon help. Alton’s death also challenges paddling clubs like CASKA to do a better job of reaching out to offer more group paddling opportunities to paddles resigned to paddling solo.
Some might find solace in that Alton died doing one of the activities she clearly valued most in her life. Nevertheless, her death at age 52 came too soon.
Tom Bamonte
