LAKETOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. — There were many folks heading to the beaches for relief from Friday’s heat, but water conditions were less than ideal due to winds and strong rip currents.
The Trowjanowski family traveled out to Laketown Township Beach Friday in order to beat the heat.
“We don’t have air conditioning in our house,” said Jessica Trowjanowski, of Byron Center.
However, after they arrived, they noticed that the water was choppy, with lots of big waves, driven by the wind.
“Yeah, they’re very strong. You get pulled that way a lot and out too,” said Jessica.
In fact, the Coast Guard reports there have been 15 water-related fatalities this week alone on the Great Lakes.
In West Michigan, a man who jumped out of a boat Thursday received fatal injuries at around 6:00 pm.
Fire crews say the accident happened at a spot north of Laketown Beach where boats often anchor called “The Bowl.”
34-year-old Nathan Luna graduated in 2002 from Saginaw Valley State University and was a member of their football team, serving as an offensive lineman.
The Laketown Township Fire Chief said he was in a boat with his family when he jumped in and struck his head in the process.
His 6-year-old child reportedly helped to float him part of the way to the shore where other adults helped to pull him in and took over, calling 911 and giving him CPR until rescuers arrived.
Michigan State Police say initial reports indicate he had a neck injury in his spinal area.
They will know more on whether that injury or the drowning was the cause of death after the autopsy is complete.
The Coast Guard says it’s always good to be aware of your surroundings before jumping in.
“The recommendation is if you’re unfamiliar with the area, such as a pier and what’s under the water, then it’s better to be cautious, not to jump in,” said Kristian Sova, Boatswains Mate Chief. “Try to just be safe with that area. It’s not recommended that you dive head first.”
The coast guard also wants you to be aware of rip currents.
“The best thing to do is not panic and if you’re stuck, not to swim into it or against the rip current. You want to swim parallel to the beach, parallel to the current. Once you feel the current release you, you want to start swimming back to the beach,” said Sova.
He also suggests during red flag days that you have a flotation device if you are going to jump in the water.
Sova says a raft or tube may slip away from you while swimming, so a life jacket is best.
“The best thing for flotation is an actual life jacket, coast guard approved, buoyant life jacket,” said Sova. “Type one, type two or type three. The problem is if you float out further than you want to be from the beach, if you fall out, or get caught, you are further away from the beach then you won’t have the buoyancy recommended to save your life.”
