OSWEGO, Illinois (5 August 2007) -- An Oswego man scuba-diving in Lake Michigan died Sunday morning after being pulled from the water near North Avenue Beach, authorities said. Witnesses told police that about 11 a.m. they saw the man "get into the water and he seemed to be disoriented," Officer JoAnn Taylor said. The man became unconscious, and the witnesses pulled him from the water, Taylor said. One witness administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Fire department personnel soon arrived and took the man to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:51 a.m. The diver was identified as Fritz Fortner, 49, of the 300 block of Grape Vine Trail in Oswego, according to a spokesman for the Cook County medical examiner's office. Reached by telephone in Indiana, Phillip Fortner said his older brother, whose given first name was Frederick but was known by friends and family as Fritz, had been diving for about three years. "He enjoyed scuba diving, reading history, kayaking," Phillip Fortner said. "He loved living in Chicago; lots to do and all that." Fritz Fortner was born in Indianapolis, but he grew up in Columbus, Ind., a small city about an hour's drive to the south of the state capital. After graduating from Indiana University, he worked various metropolitan areas, including a stint in the Chicago area, his brother said. After working in other cities, he returned to the area about four years ago, settling in Oswego. He worked in regional sales for Chrysler, his brother said. | | Rescuers try to save Lake Michigan scuba diver who suddenly lost consciousness while wreck diving with Below H2O, a local dive shop. Jack Lucas, a longtime friend and business associate, said the Fortners' grandfather started Fortner Pest Control in Vincennes, Ind., in 1938. Fritz Fortner was chairman of the board for the company for many years until recently, when Lucas bought out the business. "You couldn't ask for a better guy," Lucas said. Phillip Fortner said Chicago police called him on his mobile phone early Sunday afternoon to tell him his brother had died. The detective he spoke to said they believe Fritz Fortner may have suffered a heart attack. An autopsy is planned for Monday. Fortner was the oldest of four siblings, his brother said.said. He was never married and had no children. "My brother had a heart of gold," he said. "He was a good person." SCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
