According to a release from Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen, dispatch received several 911 calls reporting that four people were walking out to the lighthouse when one person was swept into the lake. Cook County Sheriff’s Deputy Will Sandstrom responded to the scene and saw that the victim had "already been pulled from the lake by the people she was with, along with another person who was fishing nearby."

Sheriff Eliasen shared that after the rescue, the victim complained of a headache and weakness, which "prevented her from walking unassisted." Deputy Sandstrom and the bystanders assisted the victim to safe ground. A Cook County Ambulance crew arrived and transported the victim to the hospital for medical attention.

Sheriff Eliasen acknowledged the quick actions of those involved in the rescue, stating, "The heroic actions of the people with the victim were instrumental in avoiding a tragedy in this situation. I cannot thank them enough, and the swift action of Deputy Will Sandstrom was contributory to making sure the victim received medical attention quickly."

Additionally, the Sheriff issued a warning regarding high waves and safety. “Although Lake Superior is a tremendous sight when the winds are blowing strong, the lake is not forgiving when you make a mistake. Large waves will knock you into the water, and strong currents can make it impossible to get to safety. Expiration in water that cold does not take long," he said. 

According to data and warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as of 5:00 PM, around the time of the incident, waves were averaging between 5 and 8 feet. A gale warning had been issued for the area on November 2, lasting until 12:00 PM on November 3. 

The NWS notes that Great Lakes waves come in closer than ocean waves, making it harder to right oneself if knocked down, with an average interval of 3 to 5 seconds between waves. NOAA issued multiple safety warnings for conditions like these, including: “Steer clear of the pier,” and “if it looks wet, it could be slippery.” 

Additionally, NOAA, like Sheriff Eliasen, warns of the risk of hypothermia if you fall into cold water, stating that "strong structural currents can carry you deeper into the water," making it more difficult to reach safety quickly.