ALLEGAN, MI (WTHC-AM/FM) — Allegan County Sheriff’s marine patrol pulled off a dramatic early morning water rescue Thursday, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called to Dumont Lake at 3:00 a.m. by a resident living near the lake who could hear someone calling for hlep.
Despite low visibility, heavy rain, and an unknown location for the distressed individual, deputies kept contact while marine officers search.
The dive team and rescue boat found him in about 4 feet of water. He later told deputies he’d gone fishing at about 4:00 p.m., but his canoe overturned and sank. His attempt to swim to the boat launch got hampered by what authorities suspect was hypothermia symptoms. but he managed to make it to a place where he could keep his head above water. Water temperature at the time of the rescue was close to 56 degrees.
He was taken by Wayland EMS to an area hospital for treatment for hypothermia.
Hopkins First Responders assisted at the scene.
