Off-duty CFD member dies after being pulled from water at 31st Street Beach

CHICAGO (CBS) – Officials have confirmed the death of a 14-year-veteran with the Chicago Fire Department, who was out for a swim with family in Lake Michigan when he was pulled under the water Sunday morning.

A source tells CBS 2 that Wilbert Hayes was at 31st Street Beach and had just ended his shift before heading to the beach.

CFD Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt confirmed he was swimming with family while off the lakefront when he went under around 7:30 a.m.

CFD and relatives have identified him as 43-year-old Hayes, who had been with the department since 2009.

Hayes' wife posted on Facebook Sunday, calling him "an exceptional husband, father, big brother and friend." 

She added, "He was full of life and was passionate about his family & change in the community."

"Crews quickly responded and located him underwater, but despite advanced care of our own paramedics and the medical team at the University of Chicago, he passed away," Nance-Holt said. "The loss of any of our members is a loss for the first responder community and the city as a whole."

CBS 2's Asal Rezaei spoke to a woman who said she heard his family screaming and tried to save the firefighter. 

"I ran in and started swimming, Susanna Mantia said. "We were looking down, and you could see down in the sand because it wasn't deep, so I couldn't comprehend how he could have drowned."

She later learned underwater currents were powerful on Sunday. 

Mantia said she talked to the firefighter about his love for fishing and how he was working to become a stronger swimmer. 

Hayes' wife is asking for privacy during this time. 

It remains unclear if swimming conditions played a role in this incident. 

Red flags were flying at the beach Sunday morning, signifying that a swim ban was in place. 

In:
• Chicago Fire Department