East Brunswick Student, 15, Dies In Lake Michigan Drowning

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — An East Brunswick teenager died Monday after going underwater while swimming in Lake Michigan near Michigan City, Indiana, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the LaPorte County Coroner's Office.

The LaPorte County Communications Center received a 911 call just before 2 p.m. Monday, reporting that a teenage male swimmer had gone underwater and did not resurface near the Stop 6 beach area, according to a release from the Indiana DNR. The incident occurred several stops beyond the designated Washington Park Lifeguard coverage area, according to the Michigan City Fire Department.

First responders, the U.S. Coast Guard and Washington Park lifeguards went beyond their normal coverage area and immediately entered the water to search for the teen, fire officials said. Michigan City firefighters, law enforcement officers and bystanders joined the search, the fire department said.

A Michigan City firefighter located the teen at approximately 2:15 p.m., about 100 yards west of where he was last seen, and pulled him from the water, according to the fire department. CPR and other lifesaving measures were started immediately before LaPorte County EMS took him to Franciscan Health Michigan City, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Michigan City Fire Department and Dive Team, LaPorte County EMS, Michigan City Police Department, LaPorte County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Coast Guard, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Washington Park lifeguards all responded to the scene, according to the coroner's office.

The LaPorte County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Taha Badar, 15, of East Brunswick.

"The LaPorte County Coroner's Office extends its sincere condolences to Taha Badar's family, friends and all those affected by this tragic loss," Coroner Lynn Swanson said in a news release.

East Brunswick Public Schools Superintendent Evelyn Mamman said counseling and support services will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 21 at Churchill Junior High School.

At the time of the incident, Washington Park Lifeguards had a red flag posted due to large waves and strong rip currents, the fire department said.

Indiana Conservation Officers and the LaPorte County Coroner's Office continue to investigate.

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