CHICAGO, IL. (THECOUNT) — Jon Santarelli, from Chicago, is the subject of an intense search by multiple agencies after he was swept off a sailboat while participating in the Race to Mackinac on Saturday.
Santarelli, 53, was approximately four miles offshore on the boat “Imedi” when the incident occurred, according to officials.
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According to reports from crew members, after Santarelli went into the water, they engaged in “man overboard” procedures, throwing him a life preserver and circling the boat around to locate him to no avail.
Santarelli was moving to the stern of the vessel to make a sail adjustment when a wave knocked him into the water, according to a Chicago Yacht Club spokesman.
Race organizers say that the Coast Guard alerted them to the search at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday aftenroon.
“This is an enormous tragedy,” the spokesman said. source
Santarelli was wearing a self-inflating life vest, according to the spokesman, but it did not function properly.
According to Facebook, Santarelli is an adventurous athlete involved in multiple sports and outdoor activities, which would factor in greatly to improving his chances of survival.
This is a developing story. Check back as more details become available.