Lake Forest man dies during Crystal Lake swim competition

A 58-year-old Lake Forest man died Saturday after after becoming disoriented and losing consciousness during a swimming competition on Crystal Lake.

John Sloan was pronounced dead a little past 9 a.m. in the emergency room of Centegra Hospital-Woodstock, where he had been rushed after unsuccessful efforts to revive him on the lakeshore, Deputy McHenry County Coroner Curt Bradshaw said.

Preliminary indications are that Sloan died of natural causes.

"He didn't go under," Bradshaw said. "I don't think it was a drowning."

An autopsy to help determine the cause of death is scheduled for Sunday morning.

Officials said Sloan was participating in the Crystal Lake Park District's Open Water Swim Race Saturday morning when he was observed going off course.

A lifeguard in a boat approached and asked if he needed assistance, according to a park district statement. Sloan continued swimming, and the lifeguard again asked if he needed help before extending a rescue tube to him.

"At that point the swimmer became passive and the lifeguard immediately entered the water and brought the swimmer to shore where trained lifeguards responded immediately," the park district statement reads.

At the time, there were 210 swimmers participating in the race, another 150 spectators on shore and 50 lifeguards keeping watch, the district said.

Park District Executive Director Jason Herbster said the incident remains under investigation.