HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — South Haven Area Emergency Services first responders made two water rescues within an hour of one another on Friday, July 19, 2019
The first happened just after 12:30 p.m. at South Haven’s south beach, when an 18-year-old man got caught in rip currents while swimming near the South Pier.
South Haven Chief Ron Wise, the first on the scene, jumped into the water and was able to reach the man with a life ring. South Haven police officers then pulled both men to safety. The victim was exhausted, but did not require medical attention, police said.
At 1:05 p.m., a woman was seen struggling the water by a woman on the beach — she raced to her car and put on a life vest, then swam out to the woman struggling in the water. The rescuer got the victim to shore just as emergency responders arrived.
The victim went by ambulance to Bronson-South Haven Hospital.
Emergency responders believed there might be a second person struggling, and formed a rope rescue line. There wasn’t a second victim, police said.
Authorities closed part of South Beach in light of dangerous wave conditions. Red flags signalling no swimming had been flying at the beach all day.
A 14-year-old girl died late Thursday, after being overwhelmed by the Lake Michigan waves.
