OTSEGO (WKZO AM/FM) — The full time search for a missing Colorado man on the Kalamazoo River in Southern Allegan County has reportedly been suspended until conditions on the river are safer for search personnel.
Missing and presumed drowned is 34-year-old Michael Baird, who was staying with relatives in Plainwell and liked to go for walks along the river.
Sgt. Todd Weaver says they aren’t sure how he ended up in the water.
They don’t believe drugs or alcohol were a factor, and they have no reason to believe that it was foul play and was most likely accidental.
Weaver says the water is traveling at 8 to 12 miles per hour which is traveling too fast to deploy divers, and underwater obstacles make it dangerous for surface craft.
They will continue to monitor the river from the banks for now, and wait until after flood advisories subside and levels crest this weekend.
