A Northwestern University student was pronounced dead at a local hospital Wednesday morning after being pulled from Lake Michigan in Evanston. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the 19-year-old student as Saba Hani Alkaabi, who lived on campus.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 7 a.m. Wednesday after a 911 caller reported seeing a person in the water near 70 Arts Circle Drive, according to the Evanston Police Department. Radio audio obtained by The Daily Northwestern indicated that Evanston Fire Department dispatch initially received reports of something floating in the water at 6:52 a.m., with rescue swimmers pulling a body ashore shortly after.
Water rescue personnel pulled the unresponsive student from the water near the university’s southern lakefill area and performed CPR, according to a police news release. First responders then transported her aboard a Marine 21 rescue boat to the Church Street boat ramp, where an ambulance transferred her to a local hospital. Eliza Larson, associate director of communications for Northwestern, confirmed in a statement to the Evanston RoundTable that university police also responded to the emergency.
Police launch drone for ongoing death investigation
The Evanston Police Department launched a drone along the lakefront and southern portion of the campus Wednesday morning to assist with the ongoing investigation. Authorities stated that the death remains under investigation, though police noted that there is no danger to the Northwestern or Evanston communities. Susan Davis, Northwestern’s vice president of student affairs, confirmed in a press release sent to faculty and staff that Alkaabi was an undergraduate student. In an email to students, Davis and Mona Dugo, associate vice president of wellness and dean of students, stated that the university is providing support services to impacted community members. An email sent to residents of Chapin Hall further described the student as a member of the Chapin community.
Did You Know? Evanston city officials stated that hazard warnings and signs prohibiting swimming and fishing are posted along Northwestern University’s lakefront property, urging individuals to follow posted warnings and check lake conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the student found?
Emergency personnel recovered the student from Lake Michigan near the university’s southern lakefill area, specifically near 70 Arts Circle Drive in Evanston.
What agencies responded to the incident?
The Evanston Fire Department, Evanston Police Department, and Northwestern University Police Department all responded to the scene Wednesday morning.
What have authorities said about public safety?
Evanston police stated that the incident remains under investigation, but emphasized that there is no danger to the Northwestern or Evanston communities.
A Northwestern University student died Wednesday morning after she was pulled from Lake Michigan near the school’s Evanston campus, officials said. https://t.co/kCJnHWF7dD
More on Lake Michigan
Breaking — The person pulled from Lake Michigan Wednesday morning was a Northwestern University student, EPD and Northwestern confirmedShe was pulled from the lake near the southern lakefill area on campus and was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead
Worth a look