Man who fell into Lake Michigan near Lake Bluff found safe

The man who fell into icy Lake Michigan early Tuesday has been found safe and sound, according to Lake Bluff officials.

Ryan Waller, Lake Bluff assistant village administrator, said the man who fell into the lake at Sunrise Beach at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday was able to crawl out and leave the area before the witness who left to call for help returned to the scene.

He added the unidentified man ran home, changed his wet clothes, then had to leave his house for an appointment out of town.

"He didn't know we were looking for him," Waller said. "We are just happy he is safe."

No charges have been pressed against the man, Waller said.

Divers and rescue personnel armed with sonar searched Lake Michigan for four hours after the witness saw the man slip into waist-deep water while walking a dog on the shoreline, Waller said.

After the man cried for help, the witness - who didn't have a cell phone - left for about 10 minutes to call police.

Divers and rescue workers searched the water in an area equal to about four football fields, but could not locate the man. The rescue was called off at about 12:15 p.m.

Waller said the police department used its automated call system to alert residents to the search. The man heard the message when he returned home after his appointment and phoned police.