Two drown in Lake Michigan after struggling in water
A weekend tragedy on Lake Michigan left two young men dead Saturday after they began struggling in the water near the Pigeon Lake Channel pier, authorities said.
PORT SHELDON TWP. — A weekend tragedy on Lake Michigan left two young men dead Saturday after they began struggling in the water near the Pigeon Lake Channel pier, authorities said.
Emergency crews responded to the water rescue call just after 1 p.m. on the Lake Michigan side of the south pier after reports of swimmers in distress reached the Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority on June 13.
Before first responders arrived on the scene, bystanders attempted to rescue the individuals from the water, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
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Deputies from the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, along with assisting agencies, managed to pull the swimmers from the water and immediately initiated lifesaving measures. Despite those efforts, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials have identified the victims as a 24-year-old man from Warrenville, Illinois, and a 26-year-old man from Ada, Michigan.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, and the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office said the incident remains under active investigation.
The National Weather Service issued "do not swim" warnings along the West Michigan lakeshore over the weekend as strong winds were expected to cause dangerous waves and currents.
The Ottawa County lakeshore is again expected to see hazardous conditions today, with winds up to 25 mph creating high wave action, strong currents and dangerous swimming conditions.
— Submitted by the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office. To submit a news tip, email newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
