Community Corner
Vigil Tonight for Tinley Teen Who Died after Lake Michigan Rescue Efforts
Classmates and friends will gather Monday night at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, to memorialize Matt Kocher, a Tinley Park teen who died after being pulled from Lake Michigan.
Friends of Matt Kocher, a Tinley Park teen who died Saturday after being pulled from rough waters of Lake Michigan, will hold a vigil in his memory Monday night at 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Church.
Family described Matt as an honor student who excelled in sports and loved helping others, Sun-Times Media reports.
He played football, basketball and volleyball for Andrew High School. He also volunteered with the Special Olympics at Richards High School in Oak Lawn for the past 10 years, according to the report.
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Lifeguards pulled Kocher, of the 17500 block of Mulberry Avenue, from the water around 3:30 p.m Saturday, according to the report. Lifeguards performed CPR, then transported the teen to Franciscan St. Anthony Health in Michigan City. He was then flown to Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital.
He was pronounced dead at 8:21 p.m.
Flags signaling dangerous water conditions and the potential for strong waves and rip currents had been displayed at the beach throughout the day, officials told Tribune reporters.
He was pronounced dead at 8:21 p.m.
Flags signaling dangerous water conditions and the potential for strong waves and rip currents had been displayed at the beach throughout the day, officials told Tribune reporters.
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