HOLLAND (WTHC-AM/FM) — Two Lansing girls, ages 9 and 15, and their aunt were rescued from Lake Michigan just before 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2020.
Ottawa County Sheriff’s deputies, called Holland State Park on the report of three people struggling in the water, arrived to find that all three had been helped by fast-acting bystanders on the beach. As emergency responders evaluated each of the rescued females, police learned that two Lansing girls, ages 9 and 15 years old, had been playing in the water near the shoreline — but got pulled out into deeper water by a rip current.
Their aunt, who had been on the beach nearby, went into the water to rescue them. But she also began struggling in the water.
At that point, others on the beach got involved, some getting into the water to throw life rings to the victims and others tossing life rings in from the pier. All three were helped back to the beach.
After being evaluated at the park, they declined a trip to the hospital for further evaluation.
Red flags were posted and visible on the beach at the time of the incident, according to Ottawa County Sheriff’s Sgt. Eric Westveer. Waves at the time were hitting an estimated 5 feet.
A National Weather Service hazardous weather alert — which included warnings about rip currents — went into effect at 11 a.m. Tuesday and remains in effect until 6 p.m.
Westveer said people visiting the beach need to pay attention to the posted flags and avoid swimming in any unsafe water conditions.
