South Haven Area Emergency Services responded to more distressed swimmers in Lake Michigan Sunday. SHAES has released the following:
Responders are at the South Haven city South Beach for a possible drowning victim.
SHAES was dispatched at 4:30 p.m. Sunday for two males reported to be in distress at a buoy in the south beach swimming area. Red flags were flying at the time with waves 3-to-5 feet.
First responders on the scene observed a male clinging to the buoy about 100 yards from shore. A SHEAS responder and South Haven police officer reached the victim who advised his friend while apparently trying to swim back to shore went under and did not resurface. The survivor was brought to shore by responders.
The rescued victim is 19 years of age while the other is an 18 year old. Both are from the Jackson area.
SHAES responders formed a human search chain while the Van Buren Sheriff Marine Patrol and later a Coast Guard cutter conducted search patterns. They were joined by a Coast Guard helicopter and the Van Buren Sheriff Dive Time.
Access to the south beach has been closed.
Today’s incident follows three incidents on Saturday. In those caes rescues were made. There have been two drownings off city of South Haven beaches this summer.
