Man, 31, presumed drowned off Lake Michigan Kenosha shore

June 18, 2013 (KENOSHA, Wis.) (WLS) -- The U.S. Coast Guard says it's suspended its search for a man presumed drowned in Lake Michigan off the Kenosha shore.

Fire officials say the man jumped in the water Monday evening with two other people near the North Pier, but then disappeared. Battalion Chief Ken Schroeder tells the Kenosha News the water was choppy. Winds of 20 to 25 mph made the search difficult.

The Kenosha County Underwater Rescue and Recovery team also searched for the man. Kenosha firefighters suspended their search at dark, while the Coast Guard continued to patrol the area into the night.

Benjamin McCarter, 31, began to struggle about 10 to 15 feet away from the east side of the pier in Kenosha. The waves there had became rough just before 6 p.m. Police say one of his female friends jumped into the water and grabbed him, but he was too heavy for her and she was forced to let go. The search was called off after several hours.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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