A 90-year-old Howell man died on Lake Chemung in Genoa Township on Wednesday after falling through the ice while windsurfing.
According to a release from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, at about 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, witnesses reported seeing a windsurfer fall through the ice, and that the person’s head was still above water.
Deputies from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched. The Brighton Area Fire Department was first on scene and sent rescuers out to the subject. The rescuers were able to get to the man and keep him above water, but they were not able to get him out.
The Livingston County Dive Team also responded, but due to the distance from shore and the poor ice conditions, divers were not able to reach the victim, and boats could not be used.
A request went out to the United States Coast Guard for a rescue helicopter to assist. Using a rescue swimmer, the Coast Guard was able to get the man out of the water. He was turned over to Livingston County EMS personnel, who pronounced him deceased.
The Southeast Michigan Dive Group was on standby to assist with the rescue.
In the release, the Sheriff’s Office urges everyone to say off the ice, as recent changes in temperature have caused unsafe conditions with weakened and honeycombed ice.
