June 22, 2021 12:50p; Updated at 8:10p with city's response
(WGTD)---One of two 14-year-old girls that were caught up in dangerous currents near Racine’s north pier Monday evening is in critical condition.
This comes on top of two deaths that occurred as the result of incidents off of Racine’s shoreline Saturday evening.
The update on Monday's water emergencies came from Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling. He said the girls—who were friends—had been swimming together. A 9-1-1 call sent deputies to the pier. The most seriously injured girl was flown to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee while the other suffered scrapes and cuts.
Saturday evening’s tragedies involved a 10-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy in unrelated incidents. The girl died later Saturday evening while the boy was pronounced dead Monday morning.
Authorities believe that rip currents that can form along breakwaters and piers in choppy waters are to blame.
Schmaling was joined at a Tuesday morning news conference at the Sheriff’s substation in Ives Grove by County Executive Jonathan Delagrave and District Attorney Patricia Hanson.
In funding the seven-day-a week Lake Michigan water patrol, Schmaling suggested that the county has done its part to protect beach goers. He called on the city to hire more lifeguards and extend their hours.
Asked by a reporter whether a current shortage of lifeguards would prevent additional hires, Schmaling said, "That would be a very good question for your mayor."
Speaking to reporters later in the day, Racine Mayor Mason said the city is looking at adding signage and expanding lifeguard coverage.
He noted that North Beach is one of the few Lake Michigan beaches in Wisconsin that have lifeguards. "But even with those lifeguards, we need for everyone to follow the rules and to stay in the areas that have lifeguards for the best safety," he said.
The city was able to fill all of its lifeguard positions this year, thanks in part to an increase in pay that occurred two years ago, Mason said. As many as six lifeguards patrol North Beach, especially on busy weekends.
Monday's incidents with the 14-year-old girls occurred near the North Pier, out of the purview of the North Beach lifeguards. Zoo Beach---where the 10-year-old died--has no protection. The incident involving the 17-year-old at North Beach occurred after the lifeguards had left for the day.
The presumed rip currents along North Beach and Zoo Beach on the city’s north side the past few days were not considered to be abdormal. The sheriff’s department’s water patrol captain says those currents can occur whenever waves are breaking on shore.
Both Schmaling and Delagrave vowed to do something to prevent additional tragedies. "We have to do something," Schmaling said. "We can not stand by any longer and watch children die. We have an obligation."
Delagrave said a community conversation needs to occur.
Mason said the city is willing to partner with others to improve lakefront safety.
Drownings along Kenosha's north pier along the city's harbor channel prompted several moves two years ago. The city passed an ordinance outlawing swimming near piers, breakwaters and jetties. A private citizen funded the purchase of throw rings for squad cars. And kiosks that contain additional rings were installed along the harbor channel.
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