Drowning death of off-duty firefighter ruled an accident, funeral services set, officials say

Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune
·1 min read
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Fire officials said funeral services have been set for an off-duty firefighter who died while swimming at 31st Street beach the end of July.

Earlier, Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said the firefighter was swimming with his family off the lakefront when he went underwater about 7:30 a.m. July 30. Crews quickly located the man and pulled him out of the water before performing advanced life support.

He was transported to University of Chicago Medical Center and pronounced dead at 9:07 a.m., according to the Fire Department and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The Fire Department identified the firefighter as Engineer EMT Wilbert Hayes, 43. Nance-Holt said he’s been on the job since 2009.

The fire commissioner encourage all off-duty members of the Fire Department to attend and participate in the services scheduled Aug. 9, 2023, at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home located at 17W201 Roosevelt Road in Oak Brook Terrace.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon, with an assembly and walk-thru starting at 11:45 a.m., and funeral service planned for 12:30 p.m.

Hayes’ death was ruled an accident, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.