Florida man drowns saving juvenile at Porter Beach

The body of a Florida man was recovered Monday by lifeguards after he saved the life of a juvenile at Porter Beach, officials said.

Around 10:28 a.m., first responders were dispatched to Porter Beach regarding two people struggling in the water, according to a release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Law Enforcement.

Thomas Kenning, 38, of St. Petersburg, Florida, was visiting with family when he observed a juvenile female in distress in Lake Michigan. Kenning reached the juvenile and helped her to safety before going under the water and not resurfacing.

A short time later, lifeguards from nearby Indiana Dunes State Park arrived on scene to assist and they pulled Kenning from the water. He was transported to Northwest Health-Porter, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy will determine an exact cause of death.

Porter Beach, which is within the Indiana Dunes National Park, is an unguarded beach and is “swim at your own risk,” officials said.

Assisting agencies include Porter Fire, Chesterton Fire, Burns Harbor Fire, Northwest Health EMS, National Park rangers and Indiana Conservation officers.