PARK TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Both weekend recovery missions along Lake Michigan are coming to a sad end.
On Sunday evening, Ottawa County Sheriff deputies recovered the body of 6-year-old Iain Rowe of Ferrysburg, who was first reported missing at Holland State Park in Lake Michigan on Saturday.
A dive team located the body north of the Holland channel around 7:15 p.m. Sunday.
Then early Monday morning crews found the body of 17-year-old Christian Ngabo of Grand Rapids who was swimming with his teen brother when the two began to struggle. The older brother was able to get out but Christian went missing.
The two incidents are unrelated. Autopsies will now be conducted to determine exact causes of death. Investigators do not suspect any foul play.
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PARK TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – As of midday on Sunday, the efforts continue in the waters of Lake Michigan near Holland State Park to find a 17-year-old Grand Rapids man and a six-year-old Ferrysburg boy who were lost on Saturday in two apparently unrelated incidents.
According to Ottawa County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Eric Westveer, first responders were dispatched to the park just before 5:00 p.m. on a report of a missing man. It was learned that two brothers, aged 19 and 17, were swimming in the waters off the beach, in conditions with four to six feet of waves, and rip currents had been spotted by other swimmers.
The two began to struggle, with the older brother able to get out of the situation, and was aided by a life ring in returning to the shore. However, the younger brother, Christian Ngabo, “was last seen struggling the water, 40 to 50 yards off shore.” Westveer said in a statement.
While deputies were on hand dealing with the swimmers, it was reported that a six-year-old Caucasian boy was last seen in Lake Michigan in “waist deep water,” according to Westveer. Iain Isaiah Rowe is described as being slightly over four feet tall with blonde hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a blue and white vertically stripped swimsuit.
In a statement issued Sunday afternoon, Sheriff’s Captain Mark Bennett said, “The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team/Marine Unit continues to search the waters of Lake Michigan adjacent to the Holland State Park. Assets from the OCSO and the Michigan State Police are in the water at this time, and divers have also been in the water at the time of this release. At this point, we are unable to locate either victim.”
The US Coast Guard has also helped in the search.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s office (800-249-0911).
